Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword
Abstract Objective It has been identified that the smoking rate is higher in schizophrenic patients than general population. This study aimed to explore the association between schizophrenia and tobacco use, and provide rational recommendations for clinical care of schizophrenia. Methods We recruite...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Brain and Behavior |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1433 |
| _version_ | 1818506750752456704 |
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| author | Yu Fang Weidi Wang Cuizhen Zhu Guan Ning Lin Ying Cheng Junhui Zou Donghong Cui |
| author_facet | Yu Fang Weidi Wang Cuizhen Zhu Guan Ning Lin Ying Cheng Junhui Zou Donghong Cui |
| author_sort | Yu Fang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective It has been identified that the smoking rate is higher in schizophrenic patients than general population. This study aimed to explore the association between schizophrenia and tobacco use, and provide rational recommendations for clinical care of schizophrenia. Methods We recruited 244 patients with schizophrenia and 225 healthy controls. Of schizophrenia patients, 54 patients were untreated with any antipsychotics over the previous 6 months or first‐episode and drug‐naïve. These patients (nonmedication subgroup) were followed up for 8 weeks. The associations between tobacco use and susceptibility to schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms were analyzed. Results Although there was no significant difference between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in the entire sample, stratification analysis showed the rate of smoking was higher in male patients versus healthy controls and that male smokers exhibited higher odds ratios for schizophrenia than nonsmokers. Next, when we repeated analyses in first‐episode patients and healthy controls, significant differences were not observed, indicating tobacco use is an outcome rather than a cause of schizophrenia. Furthermore, among nonmedication subgroup, smokers presented with more severe psychotic symptoms at baseline, and better improvement after medication than nonsmokers, suggesting patients with worse symptoms tend to smoke to relieve symptoms. Conclusion This study supports the self‐medication hypothesis. Nonetheless, considering the serious health hazard associated with tobacco use, we should encourage patients to stop smoking. Further investigations are warranted to determine the tobacco constituents that are beneficial or harmful to schizophrenia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T22:08:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76fde02613ce4fe4ac22fbdf57bfb5c8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2162-3279 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T22:08:46Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain and Behavior |
| spelling | doaj.art-76fde02613ce4fe4ac22fbdf57bfb5c82022-12-22T01:31:40ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792019-11-01911n/an/a10.1002/brb3.1433Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged swordYu Fang0Weidi Wang1Cuizhen Zhu2Guan Ning Lin3Ying Cheng4Junhui Zou5Donghong Cui6Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders Shanghai Mental Health Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders Shanghai Mental Health Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai ChinaAnhui Mental Health Center Anhui ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders Shanghai Mental Health Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders Shanghai Mental Health Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry the Seventh People's Hospital of Cixi City Ningbo ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders Shanghai Mental Health Center Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai ChinaAbstract Objective It has been identified that the smoking rate is higher in schizophrenic patients than general population. This study aimed to explore the association between schizophrenia and tobacco use, and provide rational recommendations for clinical care of schizophrenia. Methods We recruited 244 patients with schizophrenia and 225 healthy controls. Of schizophrenia patients, 54 patients were untreated with any antipsychotics over the previous 6 months or first‐episode and drug‐naïve. These patients (nonmedication subgroup) were followed up for 8 weeks. The associations between tobacco use and susceptibility to schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms were analyzed. Results Although there was no significant difference between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in the entire sample, stratification analysis showed the rate of smoking was higher in male patients versus healthy controls and that male smokers exhibited higher odds ratios for schizophrenia than nonsmokers. Next, when we repeated analyses in first‐episode patients and healthy controls, significant differences were not observed, indicating tobacco use is an outcome rather than a cause of schizophrenia. Furthermore, among nonmedication subgroup, smokers presented with more severe psychotic symptoms at baseline, and better improvement after medication than nonsmokers, suggesting patients with worse symptoms tend to smoke to relieve symptoms. Conclusion This study supports the self‐medication hypothesis. Nonetheless, considering the serious health hazard associated with tobacco use, we should encourage patients to stop smoking. Further investigations are warranted to determine the tobacco constituents that are beneficial or harmful to schizophrenia.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1433psychotic symptomsschizophreniaself‐medicationtobacco use |
| spellingShingle | Yu Fang Weidi Wang Cuizhen Zhu Guan Ning Lin Ying Cheng Junhui Zou Donghong Cui Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword Brain and Behavior psychotic symptoms schizophrenia self‐medication tobacco use |
| title | Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword |
| title_full | Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword |
| title_fullStr | Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword |
| title_short | Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double‐edged sword |
| title_sort | use of tobacco in schizophrenia a double edged sword |
| topic | psychotic symptoms schizophrenia self‐medication tobacco use |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1433 |
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