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Smoking and depressive symptoms in Chinese patients with first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia
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  • Shuochi Wei,
  • Dongmei Wang,
  • Huixia Zhou,
  • Li Wang,
  • Xiaoer Lang,
  • Xiangyang Zhang
Shuochi Wei
Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Dongmei Wang
Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Huixia Zhou
Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Li Wang
Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Xiaoer Lang
Shanxi Medical University
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Xiangyang Zhang
Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of smoking and depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) is high. However, few studies have examined the relationship between smoking and depressive symptoms in patients with first-episode SCZ. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors of smoking and its relationship with depressive symptoms in Chinese male patients with first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) SCZ. Methods: We recruited 164 male patients with FEDN SCZ, including 58 current smokers and 106 nonsmokers. Patients completed a detailed questionnaire about smoking status, age of onset, body mass index (BMI), and other socio-demographic data. We used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HARS) to assess the clinical symptoms of patients. Results: The current smoking rate of FEDN SCZ patients was 35.36%. Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers were older, had a later age of onset, fewer years of education, and a larger BMI. Smoking patients had higher HDRS score than nonsmoking patients (39.83±12.32 vs. 34.97±11.88, F1,162=6.10, p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the HDRS score was significantly associated with patients’ smoking status (Wald χ2 =4.01, df=1, p<0.05, OR=1.05; 95%CI: 1.001~1.104). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the prevalence of smoking in patients with FEDN SCZ is similar to that of healthy individuals. Some demographic and clinical variables, especially depressive symptoms, may be strongly associated with smoking status in patients with FEND SCZ.