New study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, published by Oxford University Press, finds that the use of high-strength nicotine e-cigarettes can help adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders stop smoking.
Some 60-90% of people with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes, compared to 15-24% of the general population. The researchers from the University of Catania, in collaboration with colleagues from City University of New York and Weill Medical College at Cornell University, have evaluated here the potential of using high-strength nicotine e-cigarettes to Altered smoking behavior in people with the schizophrenia spectrum. cigarette smoking disorders.
In this study 40 adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who smoked and had no intention of reducing or quitting smoking participated in a 12-week study using Juul e-cigarettes loaded with nicotine pods 5% with follow-up visits at 24 weeks. Researchers measured smoking frequency, smoking reduction, carbon monoxide cessation, reduced smoking, and continued cessation 24 weeks after the study.
About 40% of participants had stopped smoking traditional cigarettes by the end of 12 weeks. Researchers saw an overall 50% reduction in smoking or smoking cessation in 92.5% of participants at the end of 12 weeks. Researchers also saw an overall 75% reduction in average daily cigarette consumption from 25 to 6, by the end of the 12 weeks.
After six months, 24 weeks after the study, 35% of participants had completely stopped smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes, while continuing to use e-cigarettes. Researchers here also measured a significant reduction in daily cigarette consumption also confirmed at the end of 24 weeks. The study authors report that 57.5% of participants reduced their cigarette use by more than 50%.
In addition, researchers found that participants ’average blood pressure, heart rate, and weight decreased significantly between the start of the study and the 12-week study. The positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia were not significantly different after using e-cigarettes for the duration of the study. At the end of the study 61.9% of participants reported feeling more awake, more humble, and more focused, and less hungry.
Smoking is the leading cause of the 15-25 year mortality gap between mental health service users and the general population. This study demonstrates a switch to high-strength nicotine e-cigarettes as a possible way to stop smoking for smokers with schizophrenia. And it improves the quality of life too!“
Riccardo Polosa, Study Author and Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Catania
Source:
Oxford University Press of USA
Magazine Reference:
Caponnetto, P., et al. (2021) A one-arm, open-label, pilot study and feasibility of high-strength nicotine e-cigarette interventions for smoking cessation or reduction for people with schizophrenia who smoke cigarettes. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntab005.