title: Smoking in chronic schizophrenic inpatients in taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the prevalence of smoking and its association with the clinical characteristics of Chinese inpatients with chronic schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Schizophrenic patients hospitalized in chronic wards were assessed using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS) and Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 257 patients, 105 smoked and 4 had ceased. Males exhibited a higher prevalence of smoking than females (p < 0.001). Smoking was not significantly associated with age at onset (AAO), chlorpromazine equivalents, MMSE, AIMS, BPRS positive symptom subscale, BPRS negative symptom subscale or total BPRS scores. Smokers had higher BPRS general subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to the general population, smoking prevalence was slightly higher in schizophrenic males, double in schizophrenic females, but no difference in refractory schizophrenic clozapine users. Smoking did not affect patient AAO or daily antipsychotic dose. Patients with a higher BPRS general subscale may smoke to relieve affective symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Pali Psychiatric Hospital, Central Taiwan Office, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. dlliao@mail.tmbb.tpg.gov.tw
authors.forename: Ding-Liao
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Jen-Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shin-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shih-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine