Smoking in chronic schizophrenic inpatients in taiwan.
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.
Liao
Ding-Liao
DL
Department of Psychiatry, Pali Psychiatric Hospital, Central Taiwan Office, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. dlliao@mail.tmbb.tpg.gov.tw
Yang
Jen-Yi
JY
Lee
Shin-Min
SM
Chen
Hong
H
Tsai
Shih-Jen
SJ
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
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine