Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108459

William Riley, PhD, Health and Behavior Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., MSC 9623, Bethesda, MD 20892-9623, 301-435-0301, wiriley@mail.nih.gov

Smoking rates among those with psychiatric conditions are higher than in the general population, and may contribute to the high rates of chronic disease morbidity and mortality in the mentally ill. Possible mechanisms for the relationship between tobacco use and psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, are explored. Self-medication mechanisms of smoking on these psychiatric disorders are described. In schizophrenia, for example, smoking can not only ameliorate the side effects of antipsychotic medications, but also may directly impact sensory gating processes via alpha 7 nicotinic receptors. Smoking, however, also increases metabolism and decreases plasma levels of atypical antipsychotics, resulting in higher doses of these medications to control symptoms. Recent longitudinal research also has shown that smoking onset frequently predates the onset of the psychiatric disorder, indicating that factors other than self-medication are responsible for this relationship. The impact of psychiatric conditions on smoking cessation efforts also are explored since motivational, cognitive, or other psychiatric symptoms may hinder common cessation approaches, resulting in lower quit rates and higher rates of smoking in these populations. Improved understanding of the relationship of smoking and psychiatric conditions is necessary to provide smoking cessation interventions tailored to those with psychiatric conditions and may also provide insight into the etiology of these psychiatric conditions.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the possible mechanisms responsible for the high rates of smoking among those with psychiatric disorders, and how these mechanisms may impact smoking cessation interventions for those with comorbid psychiatric conditions.

Keywords: Health Risks, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF federal government employee.