Predictors of Smoking Patterns After First Stroke

Abstract

Persistent smoking following stroke is associated with poor outcomes including development of secondary stroke and increased mortality risk. This study uses longitudinal data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (1992–2008) to investigate whether depression and duration of inpatient hospital care impact smoking outcomes among stroke survivors (N = 745). Longer duration of care was associated with lower likelihood of persistent smoking. Depression was associated with greater cigarette consumption. Interaction effects were also significant, indicating that for survivors who experienced longer inpatient care there was a weaker association between depression and cigarette consumption. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Keywords:

• stroke
• smoking
• depression
• inpatient care

Acknowledgments

The HRS is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (U01 AG009740) and is conducted by the University of Michigan. This research was supported by funding from the National Institute on Aging (Grant #R01 AG034211). We would also like to thank our collaborators at Statistics Canada, for their input throughout the preparation of this report.