title: Changes in smoking-related symptoms during enforced abstinence of incarceration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tobacco use among prisoners is much higher than among the general population. Little is known about changes in smoking-related symptoms during periods of incarceration. The objective of this study is to evaluate changes in smoking-related symptoms during incarceration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 262 inmates from a tobacco-free prison. At baseline, participants were asked about smoking-related symptoms prior to incarceration and then asked about recent symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All symptom scores on the American Thoracic Society Questionnaire (ATSQ) improved during incarceration. Higher ATSQ scores were associated with asthma, depressive symptoms, stress, higher addiction and more pack years of smoking. Greater improvement in symptoms was not associated with smoking status after release.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Forced tobacco abstinence leads to significant improvements in smoking-related symptoms. However, improvements in symptoms are not associated with smoking behavior changes. Addressing changes in symptoms during incarceration will require further evaluation in smoking cessation interventions for incarcerated populations.
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Rosemarie A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: L A R
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Jacob J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Beth C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners; D011330:Prisons; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012237:Rhode Island; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016540:Smoking Cessation