Association of dual and poly tobacco use with depressive symptoms and use of antidepressants

Background: There is an established link between depression and tobacco use among adults; however, to date, research has not explored the association of use of dual/poly tobacco products with symptoms and use of medication for depression. Methods: Data were derived from a 2018 Texas population health assessment survey (n = 2034). Multivariable logistic and multinomial regressions were used to examine for associations between self-reported symptoms of depression and use of prescription medications for depression with use of dual/poly tobacco products. Results: About 20% of adults used one tobacco product, while 9.7% used two or more products. Compared to those without depressive symptoms, those with depressive symptoms had greater odds of single (aOR: 1.66, 95% CI; 1.21 - 2.29) or dual/poly (aOR: 3.09, 95% CI; 1.92 - 4.96) tobacco product use relative to non-users; and relative to single product use, those with depressive symptoms had greater odds of dual/poly tobacco product use (aOR: 2.07; 95% CI, 1.30 - 3.32). Compared to those not using medication for depression, use of medication for depression was associated with a 1.80 (95% CI: 1.15 - 2.84) greater odds of dual/poly tobacco product use relative to non-users; and a 1.91 (95% CI: 1.14 - 3.19) greater odds of dual/poly product use relative to single product users. Conclusions: Study findings call for primary care providers and psychiatrists to expand screening of individuals experiencing depressive symptoms and using medication for depression, to include assessment for dual/poly tobacco product use.

Automated summary

The study found that individuals with depressive symptoms and those using medication for depression were more likely to use dual/poly tobacco products. The results suggest that screening for dual/poly tobacco product use should be included in assessments of individuals experiencing depressive symptoms and using medication for depression by primary care providers and psychiatrists.