title: The link between smoking status and co-morbid conditions in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) comorbidities and quality of life (QOL) may be affected by tobacco use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the associations between smoking status, in particular quit attempts, and comorbidities among individuals with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a web-based survey to obtain cross-sectional data from 335 individuals with MS who were members of the Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society email registry. We then examined the associations between smoking variables (current use, frequency, and quit attempts) and comorbidities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of participants who ever smoked was 50%, which is greater than that reported for the general population; 20% were current smokers. Migraine headaches were associated with current use and everyday smoking, and those with recent failed quit attempts had a higher prevalence of depression than those who were current smokers but who did not attempt to quit or had successfully quit in the past year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the associations between smoking and comorbidities in individuals with MS, health care providers should both (1) assess smoking history and quit attempts, and (2) encourage individuals with MS who smoke to become non-smokers and refer for treatment, as indicated. In order to increase the chances that individuals will be successful in becoming non-smokers, clinicians would do well to also assess and treat depression in their patients who smoke and are also depressed.
authors.affiliation: Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College, 4483 Duncan Avenue, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA. Electronic address: Pamela.Newland@bjc.org.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Newland
authors.affiliation: College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA. Electronic address: Flicklh@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flick
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. Electronic address: amber@wubios.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salter
authors.affiliation: Statistical Data Analyst, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, Department of Psychiatry, USA. Electronic address: ddixon@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Box 359612, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000073869:Tobacco Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Comorbidities; Multiple sclerosis; Symptoms