Reliabilities and intercorrelations of reported and objective measures of smoking in patients with schizophrenia

How Does Smoking Cessation Affect Disease Activity, Function Loss, and Quality of Life in Smokers With Ankylosing Spondylitis?

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that can progressively restrict spinal mobility.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate how smoking cessation by AS patients affects disease activity and their psychological state, physical mobility, lung function, and quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a longitudinal, single-blind, controlled, and observational study on 92 AS patients. Pulmonary function test, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, chest expansion, Short-Form 36, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life were evaluated. The patients were divided into smokers (group 1 = 54) and nonsmokers (group 2 = 38). The smokers were divided further into subgroups of those who quit smoking (group 1a = 17) and those who did not (group 1b = 37). Groups 1a and 1b patients were compared in terms of their baseline data and data 6 months after smoking cessation. In addition, group 1a patients' baseline data and data 6 months after smoking cessation were compared statistically.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1a and 1b after 6 months in terms of the evaluated parameters, except for BASDAI. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index was significantly lower in group 1a than group 1b (p = 0.02), indicating that. When the baseline data and data after 6 months of group 1a were compared, a significant improvement was found in BASDAI (p = 0.001), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (p = 0.001), chest expansion (p = 0.001), ankylosing spondylitis quality of life (p = 0.003), and subparameters physical function (p = 0.015), physical role strength (p = 0.05), power/live/vitality (p = 0.025), social functioning (p = 0.039), pain (p = 0.036), and general health perception (p = 0.05) of Short-Form 36, as well as forced expiratory volume in the first second (p = 0.003) and forced vital capacity (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed significant improvements in disease activity, physical mobility, and quality of life in AS patients who quit smoking.

Neuroleptics and enrichment environment treatment in memory disorders and other central nervous system function observed in prenatally stressed rats

It is believed that the most effective method of treatment in schizophrenia is pharmacotherapy, in particular, the use of atypical neuroleptics like aripiprazole (ARI) and olanzapine (OLA). Moreover, studies of many authors have shown that enriched living conditions and tobacco smoke exposure can also affect the cognitive functions that are disturbed in the course of schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to find whether tobacco smoke and enrichment living conditions have the influence on cognitive functions in the newborn offspring of prenatally stressed rats and whether drugs such as ARI (1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)) and OLA (0.5 mg/kg ip) in single and chronic treatment modify those functions (Morris water maze). The study (in the same conditions) also analyses immobility time (Porsolt test) and motor activity of animals that received ARI and OLA. It has been shown that ARI and OLA as well as enriched environment reduce cognitive function disorders and modify cognitive functions in rats exposed to tobacco smoke. In turn, current research has shown that nicotine has increased cognitive function disorders compared to the previous study (animals without tobacco smoke exposure).

Cigarette smoking might impair memory and sleep quality

Although nicotine can enhance some cognitive functions, cigarette smoking may impair memory and sleep quality. Our aim was to investigate the impact of cigarette smoking on memory and sleep quality in healthy smokers. Sixty-eight healthy participants (34 smokers and 34 controls) completed the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and a Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was performed, and Hochberg's Sharpened Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons. The results show that current smokers had a worse visual memory compared to nonsmokers. There was no significant correlation between the index of Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and Fagerström test for nicotine dependence. Moreover, smokers had poorer sleep quality. Cigarette smoking might impair memory and adversely influence sleep quality.

Cigarette demand and delayed reward discounting in nicotine-dependent individuals with schizophrenia and controls: an initial study

RATIONALE

The high prevalence of smoking and low cessation rates among individuals with schizophrenia and similar conditions are not well understood. Behavioral economics has been extensively applied to studying addictive behavior and may contribute to understanding smoking in this subpopulation.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared smokers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SS) and control smokers (CS) on indices of cigarette demand and delayed reward discounting, a behavioral economic index of impulsivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The SS (n=25) and CS (n=24) groups participated in two sessions approximately 1 week apart. During the first session, delay discounting was assessed using the Monetary Choice Questionnaire. During the second session, participants smoked their usual brand ad libitum through a smoking topography assessment device, after which cigarette demand was assessed using a cigarette purchase task. Primary comparisons were of the hyperbolic discounting function, k, and indices of cigarette demand.

RESULTS

Compared to the CS group, the SS group exhibited significantly higher intensity of demand, and significantly greater consumption and expenditure across the inelastic portion of the demand curve, but no differences were evident on the other demand indices. No differences were evident for delay discounting. The SS group also exhibited heavier smoking topography and two indices of smoking topography were significantly correlated with demand.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide further evidence of higher incentive value of cigarettes among SS individuals, but not greater impulsivity, as measured by discounting. Considerations include potentially important methodological factors and the role of satiation/withdrawal.

Influence of spirituality and religiousness on smoking among patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

The rates of cigarette smoking among patients with schizophrenia are two to four times the rates observed in the community. Spirituality and religiousness have been shown to be associated with lower smoking rates in the general population.

AIMS

This study assessed the role of religion in cigarette smoking among patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder.

METHODS

Some 115 stabilized outpatients from Geneva's public psychiatric facilities were included. Interviews were conducted to investigate spiritual and religious beliefs, religious practices and religious coping. Cigarette smoking was assessed through interviews and medical records.

RESULTS

Some 58% of patients were smokers. Two-thirds of the total sample considered spirituality as very important or essential in their every day life. Religiosity was negatively associated with tobacco use: there were more current smokers without religious affiliation than non-smokers (p < 0.05). For non-smokers, the support of their faith community was significantly more important and they reported more frequent group religious practices than smokers ( p < 0.05). This relation persisted after controlling for demographic confounders (gender, age, ethnicity, education, civil status).

CONCLUSION

In patients with schizophrenia, religion and spirituality seem to be related to smoking behaviour. Similar results were previously found in the general population. These results underscore the need for a systematic exploration of religious issues in the care of smokers with schizophrenia.

Effects of smoking abstinence, smoking cues and nicotine replacement in smokers with schizophrenia and controls

The mechanisms underlying the low smoking cessation rates among smokers with schizophrenia (SS) are unknown. In this laboratory study, we compared the responses of 21 SS and 21 non-psychiatric controls (CS) to manipulations of 5-hour smoking abstinence, transdermal nicotine replacement (0 mg, 21 mg and 42 mg), and in vivo smoking cues. Results indicate that SS were more sensitive than CS to the effects of acute abstinence on carbon monoxide (CO) boost, but not more sensitive to the effects of abstinence on urge levels or withdrawal symptoms. SS and CS did not differ in urge response to in vivo smoking cues, but SS were less consistent in their reactions. These findings suggest that heightened sensitivity to the effects of abstinence on smoke intake may partially account for the low cessation rates experienced by SS, but other potential mechanisms should be explored using behavioral laboratory models.

Self-reported motivation to smoke in schizophrenia is related to antipsychotic drug treatment

PURPOSE

The prevalence of smoking in schizophrenia has reliably been reported as being higher than for any other psychiatric disorder. While a number of theories have been proposed to account for such high rates of smoking, little is known about the subjective motivation for why schizophrenia patients smoke in comparison with those without the disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare smoking motivation in control subjects and schizophrenia patients, and determine if factors such as type of medication or access to cigarettes could contribute to self-reported motivation for smoking.

METHODS

We assessed motivation to smoke in 61 schizophrenia inpatients and 33 non-psychiatric health worker controls at a tertiary care psychiatric facility in a cross-sectional study. Nicotine dependency and smoking behavior were evaluated using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and a validated questionnaire that assesses motivation for smoking along seven different dimensions.

RESULTS

Schizophrenia patients reported a stronger motivation to smoke than controls for reasons related to pleasure from the act of smoking, as well as a need for psychomotor stimulation. Scores on both these factors were significantly associated with daily antipsychotic drug dose. The sedative and anxiolytic effects of smoking were related to anticholinergic load of psychiatric medications.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight important differences in self-reported motivation to smoke between schizophrenia patients and normals. Antipsychotic drugs may also influence aspects of motivation to smoke.

Decreased dopamine transporter availability in male smokers -- a dual isotope SPECT study

INTRODUCTION

Although the mesolimbic dopaminergic system has been shown to play a role in reinforcing tobacco smoking, results of imaging studies that examine the relationship between tobacco smoking and the central dopamine system remain discrepant. To delineate the role of tobacco addiction in central pre- and post-synaptic dopaminergic activities, we analyzed the central D2-family receptors, the dopamine transporters (DAT), and degrees of dependence in male smokers.

METHODS

Eleven male smokers and 11 healthy non-smokers were recruited. The striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability was approximated using SPECT and [123 I] IBZM while the DAT availability was approximated using SPECT and [99m Tc] TRODAT-1. All of the smokers completed the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and other related questionnaires.

RESULTS

A decrease in DAT availability in the striatum of male smokers is noted (p<05). However, the striatal D2/D3 receptor availability in male smokers does not differ from that of non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that cigarette smoking may alter central dopamine functions in males, particularly at the pre-synaptic sites.

Cognitive interviews for measurement evaluation of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in smokers with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

People diagnosed with schizophrenia have among the highest known rates of tobacco use. While the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is the most widely used measure of nicotine dependence, recent research has questioned its applicability for individuals with schizophrenia. The current study employed cognitive interviews to evaluate the FTND with smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, recruited from an acute inpatient psychiatry setting, and a comparison group of smokers recruited from the community. The groups were comparable on tobacco use variables and FTND scores. Detailed qualitative cognitive interviews indicated all subjects understood the FTND items. For both groups, the FTND missed nocturnal smoking, reported as weekly by 80% of patients and 47% of controls. Finishing other people's cigarettes also was under-reported on the FTND. Restrictions to smoking were common across groups. The cognitive interview methodology proved useful for understanding how individuals interpreted and answered the FTND items. Overall, the qualitative findings identified limitations in the FTND for both groups, with the limitations generally more pronounced among patients with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia and the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

In addition to the devastating symptoms of psychosis, many people with schizophrenia also suffer from cognitive impairment. These cognitive symptoms lead to marked dysfunction and can impact employability, treatment adherence, and social skills. Deficits in P50 auditory gating are associated with attentional impairment and may contribute to cognitive symptoms and perceptual disturbances. This nicotinic cholinergic-mediated inhibitory process represents a potential new target for therapeutic intervention in schizophrenia. This chapter will review evidence implicating the nicotinic cholinergic, and specifically, the alpha7 nicotinic receptor system in the pathology of schizophrenia. Impaired auditory sensory gating has been linked to the alpha7 nicotinic receptor gene on the chromosome 15q14 locus. A majority of persons with schizophrenia are heavy smokers. Although nicotine can acutely reverse diminished auditory sensory gating in people with schizophrenia, this effect is lost on a chronic basis due to receptor desensitization. The alpha7 nicotinic agonist 3-(2,4 dimethoxy)benzylidene-anabaseine (DMXBA) can also enhance auditory sensory gating in animal models. DMXBA is well tolerated in humans and a new study in persons with schizophrenia has found that DMXBA enhances both P50 auditory gating and cognition. alpha7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists appear to be viable candidates for the treatment of cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia.

Smoking and schizophrenia: is symptom profile related to smoking and which antipsychotic medication is of benefit in reducing cigarette use?

OBJECTIVE

Smoking rate is disproportionately high among patients with schizophrenia, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. However, cigarette smoking has been reported to have beneficial effects on negative symptoms, extrapyramidal symptoms, cognitive functioning and mood symptoms. Therefore, smoking cessation may worsen disability in schizophrenia. The association between smoking and these key clinical parameters was examined. Additionally, severity of smoking across four different antipsychotic treatment groups was explored.

METHOD

One hundred and forty-six patients with schizophrenia were assessed for smoking using expired carbon monoxide and smoking history. They were administered the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, The Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale, Reitans Trail-making Test (A and B) and General Health Questionnaire-28.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the chlorpromazine equivalent dose of any of the medications studied. Atypical agents were associated with significantly lower levels of smoking when compared with typical medications. There was no difference in smoking severity between the individual atypical medications examined. Similarly, there were no significant differences between smoking and non-smoking groups with regard to Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, Trail-making Test and General Health Questionnaire-28. However, there was a significant difference between these groups with the smoking group demonstrating less akathisia.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking is not associated with positive, negative cognitive and mood symptoms in schizophrenia. Smoking is associated with lower levels of antipsychotic induced akathisia. Clinicians should not be discouraged from helping patients stop smoking for fear of worsening symptoms. However, akathisia may emerge upon cessation of smoking. Switching patients from typical to atypical antipsychotics may assist patients with schizophrenia to give up smoking.

Cigarette smoking topography in smokers with schizophrenia and matched non-psychiatric controls

Smoking is highly prevalent among people with schizophrenia, and little is known about factors that affect smoking in these patients. One basic question is whether smoking behavior differs for smokers with schizophrenia compared to equally nicotine-dependent smokers who do not have a major mental illness. In this study, 20 smokers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SCZ) and 20 non-psychiatric smokers (CON) underwent smoking topography assessments. The groups were matched on age, gender, daily smoking rate, years of regular smoking and nicotine dependence rating. Results indicate that, compared to the CON participants, the SCZ participants smoked significantly more total puffs (SCZ: 58.5 +/- 48.3; CON: 21.3 +/- 9.4) and puffs per cigarette (SCZ: 12.3 +/- 6.0; CON: 8.9 +/- 2.3) and had shorter inter-puff intervals (SCZ: 21.9 +/- 9.7 s; CON: 42.0 +/- 21.5 s), larger total cigarette puff volumes (SCZ: 583 +/- 169 ml; CON: 429 +/- 159 ml) and higher carbon monoxide boosts (SCZ: 3.8+/-5.4 ppm; CON: 1.0 +/- 2.5 ppm). Test-retest reliabilities were good to excellent for most smoking measures in both groups. These findings suggest that smokers with schizophrenia smoke more intensely than matched non-psychiatric smokers and that their smoking behavior is reliable when assessed under laboratory conditions.

Applicability of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence in smokers with schizophrenia

Up to 90% of individuals with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes, and many show signs of heavy dependence. Although the severity of nicotine dependence is often measured by the six-item Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), this measure, in its current form, may not be as appropriate in this population--or in others who's smoking is regulated by others--as in the general population due to differences in smoking patterns, living arrangements, and daily routines. These factors may produce an underestimate of nicotine dependence, which may have clinical implications for successful medical detoxification if the FTND scores are used to guide the dosage of nicotine replacement medication. Data indicate poor internal consistency reliability (alpha=.4581) and a factor pattern lacking simple structure (i.e., two nonmeaningful factors/components with substantial cross loadings) when administered to smokers with schizophrenia. Specific examples of problematic items and how these may contribute to an underestimate of tobacco dependence severity are discussed, as well as ways to modify the FTND to be more appropriate for this population.

Environmental factors and membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids in schizophrenia

There is accumulating evidence of reductions in red blood cell membrane essential fatty acids in patients with schizophrenia. The mechanisms that may underlie these reductions have yet to be determined. It is possible that the observed membrane fatty acid deficits are associated with the development of schizophrenia. Alternatively, the membrane fatty acid deficits may be due to environmental factors, such as smoking and variations in diet, which may not be associated specifically with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes at very high rates. Cigarette smoke contains many pro-oxidants that contribute directly to oxidative stress. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are very susceptible to oxidative effects of free radicals. Thus, smoke-induced oxidative stress could plausibly account for reductions in membrane fatty acid in schizophrenia. Recent studies provide conflicting evidence for smoking effects on membrane fatty acid deficits. Likewise, the effects of diet on membrane PUFAs in schizophrenia are not entirely clear. Essential PUFAs need to be consumed in diet. Thus, differences in membrane PUFAs observed between patients and control subjects may be due to dietary variation. Few studies that have examined dietary effects differ in their interpretation of the effects of diet on membrane PUFAs. Thus, the jury is still out whether smoking or dietary effects are the primary causes of membrane PUFA deficits in patients with schizophrenia. Future studies will need to systematically examine the potential effects of smoking and diet, as well as other environmental factors such exercise, to definitively establish whether or not PUFA abnormalities are inherent to schizophrenia.