HRQoL in Veterans with Chronic PTSD and Tobacco Dependence

Institution:	Alliant International University
Investigator(s):	Laura Harder, BA
Award Cycle:	2010 (Cycle 19)	Grant #: 19DT-0003	Award: $59,300
Subject Area:	Nicotine Dependence
Award Type:	Dissertation Awards

Abstracts

Initial Award Abstract

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition in which an overwhelming traumatic event causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror and results in intrusive memories and/or nightmares related to the trauma, avoidance of people, places and situations associated with the trauma, and increased watchfulness and irritability from pre to post trauma. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) emphasizes the effects of disease on physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Cigarette smoking is associated with both PTSD and HRQoL, and both PTSD and smoking cause poor health outcomes. The relationship between tobacco dependence and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), specifically in a PTSD population, has been under-explored. Although several studies have examined the relationship of HRQoL in a chronic tobacco dependent OR a chronic PTSD population, a lack of studies look at the impact of quitting smoking on HRQoL in PTSD patients who smoke. Studies examining changes in HRQoL over time and the effects of quitting smoking in the chronic tobacco dependent, PTSD population are also lacking. It is important to understand the effect of having both conditions on HRQoL because it may impact a provider’s ability to treat tobacco dependence in a PTSD population. If tobacco dependent individuals with PTSD are quitting smoking, but not experiencing improvements in HRQoL, the potential for relapse may be increased and the risk of death may remain unchanged due to continued PTSD and depression symptoms. This study aims to better inform treatments for the tobacco dependent, PTSD population.

Publications

PTSD and depression as predictors of physical health-related quality of_x000D_ li fe in tobacco-dependent veterans
Periodical: Journal of Psychosomatic Research			Index Medicus:
Authors: Aversa LH, Stoddard JA, Doran NM, et al.				ART
Yr:	Vol:	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg:

PTSD and depression as predictors of physical health-related quality of_x000D_ li fe in tobacco-dependent veterans
Periodical: Journal of Psychosomatic Research			Index Medicus:
Authors: Aversa LH, Stoddard JA, Doran NM, et al.				ART
Yr:	Vol:	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: