Original article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2006;9(2):57-61.

여성 정신분열병 환자에서 금연이 정신병적 증상에 미치는 효과

Chae-Keun Oh, MD, Kyo-Hyun Jo, MD, Hwan-Bae Lee, MD, Byung-Yong Lee, MD, PhD and Chang-Hyun Kim, MD, PhD

Abstract

Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of smoking cessation on psychotic symptoms in female patients with schizophrenia.
Methods:Assessments of positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were performed before and after smoking cessation for 8 weeks on thirty one female smokers with schizophrenia.
Results:Positive and negative symptom scores in PANSS had been significantly higher than before smoking cessation for 2 weeks after smoking cessation in 31 female smokers with schizophrenia. However, As positive and negative symptom scores began to decrease in a week after smoking cessation, both of those were lower at 8 weeks of smoking cessation than before smoking cessation.
Conclusion:Smoking cessation improved the psychotic symptoms in female patients with schizophrenia from 6 weeks after smoking cessation, although it worsened the psychotic symptom for initial 2 weeks of smoking cessation. These results suggest that an increase in the metabolism of neuroleptics and their clearance by cigarette smoking should be more important than direct effects of cigarette smoking on psychotic symptoms. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2006;9:57-61)

Key Words: Schizophrenia,Smoking cessation,Symptoms.