Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double-edged sword

firemonkey · October 14, 2019, 9:40am

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double-edged sword.

Y Fang, W Wang, C Zhu, GN Lin, Y Cheng, J Zou and D Cui, Brain and behavior, Oct 2019 11

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.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.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.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.

Pikasaur · October 14, 2019, 11:05am

Could I ask for a summary of what they found?

firemonkey · October 14, 2019, 11:20am

Male smokers had higher odds ratios for sz
The indication is tobacco use is an outcome rather than cause of sz
In the nonmedication subgroup smokers had more severe psychotic symptoms and better improvement after meds than nonsmokers
The suggestion is those with worse symptoms smoke to relieve symptoms. That supports smoking as self medication
Despite that, due to the health hazard , patients should be encouraged to stop
More research is needed to determine what parts of tobacco are helpful or harmful to sz

Naarai · October 14, 2019, 12:29pm

I cant imagine not smoking. Its that or the vape if i can get used to it. Giving up is’nt that high on my list of goals.

At least leave me one vice.

Jonnybegood · October 14, 2019, 1:12pm

I wouldn’t worry about the vapes just yet. Seems it was just illegal black market thc vapes killing people. Because they had faulty stuff in it. You can vape again folks!!! For now…

Joker · October 14, 2019, 1:46pm

My exact feelings on the matter

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Use of tobacco in schizophrenia: A double-edged sword

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