Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Veterans Benefits and Health Care About VA Find a VA Location

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

PTSD and depression as predictors of physical health-related quality of life in tobacco-dependent veterans.

Aversa LH, Stoddard JA, Doran NM, Au S, Chow B, McFall M, Saxon A, Baker DG. PTSD and depression as predictors of physical health-related quality of life in tobacco-dependent veterans. Journal of psychosomatic research. 2012 Sep 1; 73(3):185-90.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions


Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Smoking, depression and PTSD are related to poor physical health outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Previous studies examining the effects of quitting smoking on HRQoL have been mixed. This study aimed to examine the effects of PTSD, depressive symptoms and smoking cessation on HRQoL in a sample receiving treatment for PTSD. METHOD: This study utilized archival interview and self-report data from a clinical trial (VA Cooperative Study 519) that recruited tobacco dependent veterans with chronic PTSD (N = 943). RESULTS: Analyses were conducted using hierarchical linear modeling and indicated that PTSD and depressive symptoms differentially affected the various physical health status domains. Additionally, quitting smoking was associated with better self-perceived health status and social functioning. CONCLUSION: Our findings further explain the interrelationships of PTSD, depression, and smoking in the prediction of physical HRQoL and advocate the importance of integrated care.




Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.