Smoking among psychiatric patients

Abstract

The present study examined the prevalence and determinants of smoking among patients receiving different psychiatric diagnoses (DSM-III-R). The study sample of 1,217 in- and outpatients, 13 to 88 years of age, treated at the Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, in eastern Finland, was interviewed using two sets of questions during May 1993. The prevalence of smoking was significantly higher in male (62% vs. 34%) and female patients (40% vs. 22%) compared to the general population. Among men the highest rate was observed in schizophrenia and among women in personality disorder. In persons with major depression or personality disorder smoking was related to the level of depression. The best determinants of smoking in multiple logistic models were alcohol drinking, poor financial situation and male gender. Education, or marital status were not associated with smoking after adjustment of confounders. Because psychiatric patients smoke so much, prevention approaches are clearly indicated.