The combined and individual influence of the CHRNα5 gene, mental wellbeing, age, profession and education level on nicotine dependence.

Abstract

Background Cigarette smoking has become a worldwide health problem. When tobacco use turns into nicotine dependence it causes users to keep smoking cigarettes despite serious risks to health, withdrawal symptoms when an attempt to quit is made, as well as a high probability of fallback. Several factors are known to contribute to nicotine dependence, such as genes, socioeconomic status and mental wellbeing. The aim of this study is to unravel the effects of the CHRNα5 gene, mental wellbeing and socioeconomic status are analyzed to see if we can replicate the known effect these have on nicotine dependence and to see how these factors work together. Method This study was performed with individual health profiles of 1393 current smokers available including socioeconomic information, SCL-90 score used to measure mental wellbeing, age and, of a smaller group, CHRNα5. Results Individual effects were found for CHRNα5, mental wellbeing, education and age. Logistic regression showed that CHRNα5 and mental wellbeing were the largest contributors; age and socioeconomic status were no longer significant. Conclusion CHRNα5 and mental wellbeing are unrelated and have an individual influence on nicotine dependence. The exact mechanisms of these two factors is a subject for future studies on this subject.