Barbara Pajk
University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Slovenia
Title: Effect of tobacco use on symptom severity and medication adherence in Schizophrenia
Biography
Biography: Barbara Pajk
Abstract
Background: The rate of smoking among the patient with schizophrenia (PS) is at least two to three times higher than in general population. It was found that tobacco use is connected with schizophrenia psychopathology but is often undermined and even tolerated in the psychiatric settings. The aim of this study was to examine the smoking rates in PS and the association between tobacco use and symptom severity in PS and its effect on medication adherence. We also examined the correlations between tobacco use, hospitalization rates and the fist outbreak of the disease in PS.
Method: The study included 91 patients of both genders (18 to 65 years), with a diagnosis of ICD-10 (F20), hospitalized at the University Psychiatric Hospital in Ljubljana in various treatment settings. Clinical symptoms were rated by using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The study was based on a questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, the data about tobacco use, the medication adherence and some other characteristics of the participants.
Results:The prevalence of smoking was 61.5%, (35.7% females and 64.3% males). Smokers had significantly higher PANSS (total sub score) (97.18 vs. 83.80; p=0.015) and PANSS (general sub score) (48.00 vs. 41.31; p=0.007), G3 (p=0.047), G4 (p=0.008), G5 (p=0.004), G11 (p=0.032), G13 (p=0.000) and G14 (p=0.008). Smokers scored higher on P4 (p=0.020), P7 (p=0,008) and N1 (0,022). Non-adherence rate among smokers was 69.6% vs. non-smokers 30.4%. There is a trend that suggests that smokers have higher number of hospitalizations (M=10.82) compared to non-smokers (M=6.14) (p=0.060).
Conclusion: The findings of this survey suggest that tobacco use might be associated with more severe general and total PANSS sub score, as well as excitement, hostility and blunted affect was more pronounced among smokers. Patients who smoke are less likely to be adherent to antipsychotic medication. Special attention should be paid in patients with schizophrenia who are tobacco users.
