Author/Authors :
LI, Huijie Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , ZHOU, Yunping Zibo Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zibo, P.R. China , LI, Suyun Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , WANG, Qiang Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , PAN, Lulu Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , YANG, Xiaorong Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , ZHANG, Nan Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , JIANG, Fan Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , HAN, Mingkui Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China , JIA, Chongqi Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
Abstract :
Background: A recent study indicates that the incidence of smoking cessation varies with age. Although nicotine de-pendence (ND) has been regarded as one of the most significant barriers of successful smoking cessation, few re-searches have focused on the relationship between nicotine dependence and age.
Methods: A cross-sectional study (conducted in 2013) with 596 Chinese rural male current smokers was performed to study the relationship between ND and age. The ND level was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine De-pendence (FTND) scale. The univariate two-degree fractional polynomials (FPs) regression was used to explore the relation of ND to age.
Results: The mean of FTND scores in the middle-aged group (45-64 yr old) was higher than that in the younger (<45 yr old) and older groups (≥65 yr old). The FPs regression showed an inverse U-shaped relationship between ND and age.
Conclusion: The middle-aged current smokers had higher degree of ND than the younger and the older groups, which showed an inverse U-shaped relationship between ND and age. This finding needs to be confirmed by further researches.
Keywords :
Age , Nicotine dependence , Smoking , Tobacco , China
