Background: Community studies have reported a positive association between cigarette smoking and depressed mood among adolescents. We evaluated the strength of this association among adolescent patients being seen for routine care, a setting in which screening and intervention is feasible. Methods: This paper uses baseline data from a randomized trial testing the effectiveness of a smoking expert system to prevent smoking uptake among non-smokers and help interested smokers quit. We recruited 2526 patients (ages 14-17) at pediatric and family practice clinics of Kaiser Permanente Northwest. Approximately 49% of teens who were approached consented to participate. Fifty-nine percent were female; 52% were age 14-15 and 48% were 16-17. We examined gender differences in the association between current smoking and depressed mood (positive on 3 screening items for depression or dysthymia) in bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: Females were more likely than males to smoke (27% v. 18%) and to report depressed mood (23% v. 8%). In logistic regression models that adjusted for age, ethnicity, % of friends who smoke, number of smokers in the home, and educational aspirations, the odds of smoking were elevated among teens with depressed mood, both among females (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.6) and males (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7, 5.9). Conclusions: Depressed mood is positively associated with current smoking among both female and male adolescent primary care patients. Screening and referral/intervention for these conditions appears to be warranted.
Learning Objectives: To increase knowledge about the association between cigarette smoking and depressed mood as reported by adolescent primary care patients, particularly whether the association is similar in females and males. Clinicians will learn of the high co-occurrence of smoking and depressed mood among adolescent patients
Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.