Hsi-Ling Peng1, Li-Yun Lee2, Bing-Shen Huang3,4, Chien-Yu Lin3,4, Ya-Lan Chang5,6, Ching-Fang Chung5, Shu-Ching Chen3,6,7. 1. Department of Nursing, College of Healthcare and Management, Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. 2. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, DA-YEH University, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China. 3. Department of Radiation Oncology and Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 4. Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 5. Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 6. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 7. School of Nursing and Geriatric and Long-Term Care Research Center, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: After suddenly stopping smoking after an initial oral cancer (OC) diagnosis, patients may restart smoking and nicotine dependence. This study sought to identify factors associated with high nicotine dependence in OC patients who restarted smoking post-treatment. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A group of 220 OC patients who restarted smoking post-treatment were recruited from the outpatient radiation department of a single cancer center in northern Taiwan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, and patients were assessed for nicotine and smoking dependence, physical activity and function, socio-emotional function, social support, and depression. RESULTS: Among patients who restarted smoking after treatment for OC, 75.9% reported low-to-moderate dependence on smoking, while 24.1% reported high nicotine dependence. Factors associated with high nicotine dependence included higher incidence of smoking per day, greater dependence on smoking, less physical activity per week, and poorer social-emotional function. Those highly dependent on nicotine were younger, unmarried, had less education, and had begun smoking earlier than those with low-to-moderate nicotine dependence. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of smoking per day, greater smoking behavioral dependence, less physical activity per week, and worse social-emotional function affected high nicotine dependence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Smoking cessation training and counseling for OC patients may help them better control their use of tobacco after treatment.
PURPOSE: After suddenly stopping smoking after an initial oral cancer (OC) diagnosis, patients may restart smoking and nicotine dependence. This study sought to identify factors associated with high nicotine dependence in OC patients who restarted smoking post-treatment. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A group of 220 OC patients who restarted smoking post-treatment were recruited from the outpatient radiation department of a single cancer center in northern Taiwan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, and patients were assessed for nicotine and smoking dependence, physical activity and function, socio-emotional function, social support, and depression. RESULTS: Among patients who restarted smoking after treatment for OC, 75.9% reported low-to-moderate dependence on smoking, while 24.1% reported high nicotine dependence. Factors associated with high nicotine dependence included higher incidence of smoking per day, greater dependence on smoking, less physical activity per week, and poorer social-emotional function. Those highly dependent on nicotine were younger, unmarried, had less education, and had begun smoking earlier than those with low-to-moderate nicotine dependence. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of smoking per day, greater smoking behavioral dependence, less physical activity per week, and worse social-emotional function affected high nicotine dependence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Smoking cessation training and counseling for OC patients may help them better control their use of tobacco after treatment.