[Smoking cessation and schizophrenia]

Abstract

People with schizophrenia smoke about 5.6 times as much as people without the disease. This factor is a major but treatable cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Nevertheless, health professionals make relatively little effort to discourage people from smoking or to give it up altogether.<br/> AIM: To increase health professionals' knowledge about possible therapeutic interventions that can help people with schizophrenia to stop smoking.<br/> METHOD: We studied the relevant literature.<br/> RESULTS: Many people with schizophrenia do in fact want to give up smoking. However, many health professionals are reluctant to intervene because, as a result, people with schizophrenia might experience a deterioration in their mental state. We believe that people with schizophrenia who are determined to give up smoking need to receive a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychological support. This patient population requires a longer than normal period of treatment.<br/> CONCLUSION: So far, a combination of bupropion, nicotine patches and psychological support has proved the most effective form of support for this target group consisting of people with schizophrenia.