title: Temporal stability and within-subject consistency of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
abstract: This study tested the temporal stability and within-subject consistency of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-III-R (DSM-III-R) nicotine withdrawal symptoms in 39 (21 female, 18 male) regular smokers. Subjects provided withdrawal symptom ratings while smoking ad libitum and during two 48-hour abstinence periods that were separated by 1 week. All but two symptoms, increased eating and hunger, demonstrated adequate temporal stability (i.e., stability coefficients > or = .70). Within-subject consistency was found for impatience, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. The total (average) score emerged as the most stable and consistent indicator of withdrawal. Results of a cluster analysis suggest the presence of two groups of smokers based on the withdrawal experience. Possible reasons for variability in nicotine withdrawal symptom reports are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Behavioral Medicine Program.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Pomerleau
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Pomerleau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine