SMOKING AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

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, i n eastern Finland, was interviewed with two sets of questions during M ay 1993. The prevalence of smoking was significantly higher in male (6 2 % vs. 34 %) and female patients (40 % vs. 22 %) compared to the gene ral population. Among men the highest rate was observed in schizophren ia and among women in personality disorder. In persons with major depr ession or personality disorder smoking was related to the level of dep ression. The best determinants of smoking in multiple logistic models were alcohol drinking, poor financial situation and male gender. Educa tion, or marital status were not associated with smoking after adjustm ent for confounders. Because psychiatric patients smoke so much, preve ntion approaches are clearly indicated.