Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters, cigarette use, and physical health-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, particularly numbing and hyperarousal symptoms, are related to poor physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Tobacco dependence is also associated with poor HRQoL, and individuals with PTSD may smoke at higher rates than the general population. Our study aimed to examine the impact of quitting smoking and changes in PTSD symptoms over time on changes in physical HRQoL.


METHODS
The study used archival data from enrollees (N = 943) in a smoking cessation clinical trial for veterans with PTSD (VA Cooperative study #519).


RESULTS
Two of the physical HRQoL domains were sensitive to changes in PTSD symptoms over time: General Health and Vitality.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that particular physical HRQoL domains may be subject to improvement if PTSD symptoms decrease over time.
Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr. 151, San Diego, CA 92161, USA. laura.h.aversa@gmail.com
Laura H
LH
Aversa
Jill A
JA
Stoddard
Neal M
NM
Doran
Selwyn
S
Au
Bruce
B
Chow
Miles
M
McFall
Andrew J
AJ
Saxon
Dewleen G
DG
Baker
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data