Psychiatric comorbidity of dependent tobacco smokers

Abstract

Background

Psychiatric patients are more often tobacco smokers than the general population. These finding indicate a causal relation between tobacco smoking and occurrence of psychiatric diseases. Therefore in the study presented psychiatric comorbidity of smokers and non smokers were investigated in ”healthy“ probands being either smokers or non smokers.

Method

Students of medicine or of psychology (mv 25,3 Jahre, SD ± 5,3), 70 healthy smokers and 83 healthy non smokers (both groups without known psychic disorder or treatment) were studied according to psychic axis-1-disorders by Mini-DIPS, a questionare for the DSM IV-or ICD 10 criteria of nicotine dependence, Fagerström-test, craving visual scale, CAGE-test, a questionare for sociodemographic factors, organic and psychic diseases and psychiatric/ psychotherapeutic treatments. Urine analysis of addictive drugs and cotinin levels in urin and saliva were estimated.

Results

From 70 smokers according to DSM IV 40 dependent and 30 non dependent smokers were found. According to Fagerström –test 51 of the 70 were dependent smokers. The urine cotinin level was significantly higher in dependent smokers and correlated with the range of dependence acc. to Fagerström (p <0.001). The saliva cotinin level significantly correlated with the range of craving (p < 0.006). In 12 (9f, 3m) of the 40 dependent smokers phobic and anxiety disorders and high levels of cotinin were found, but not in the groups of non dependent smokers or non smokers.

Conclusion

A relationship of dependent smoking with higher cotinin and craving levels and phobic / anxiety disorders seem to exist, especially in females.