A study published in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica reveals that smokers have a 258% higher risk of being hospitalized due to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
Summary of the study:
- Smoking, a common social habit, increases the risk of various health problems.
- Data from a recent study show that smokers face a significantly higher risk of hospitalization for mental illness.
- Certain genetic factors may contribute to an increased risk of heavy smoking and hospitalization for mental illness.
- Helping people quit smoking may reduce the severity of mental illness.
Link between smoking and severe mental illness
The researchers of this study used data from the UK Biobank, collected from over 330,000 participants. They calculated the participants’ polygenic risk scores for traits such as smoking, smoking duration, and anxiety tendency (the likelihood of experiencing negative emotional states). These scores measure a person’s genetic predisposition to developing smoking habits and mental illness.
The researchers found that participants tended to start smoking before being hospitalized for mental illness. Their analysis further confirmed that the highest risk of hospitalization for mental illness was among current smokers, while the lowest risk was among those who had never smoked. Former smokers had a moderately higher risk compared to those who had never smoked.
The study authors summarized their key findings as follows: “Genetic predisposition for smoking intensity has a cross-effect on hospitalization due to major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Smoking behaviors have the same level of influence on mental illness hospitalization as genetic risk.”
Although the study does not conclusively prove that smoking causes mental illness, it suggests a potential causal relationship. The research emphasizes the need for further studies and the consideration of mental illness as a consequence of smoking. More research is required on underlying mechanisms if smoking indeed causes mental illness.
Support needed to successfully quit smoking
Overall, this study adds to the growing evidence that helping people quit smoking can yield numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of severe mental illness.
Professor of behavioral medicine Paul Aveyard, from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, UK, noted: “For a long time, mental health professionals have viewed smoking as a necessary coping mechanism. However, this view is changing as more evidence shows smoking is a contributing factor to mental illness, and quitting smoking may improve this condition. As cardiovascular problems—preventable early—are the main cause of non-communicable diseases, supporting mental health patients to quit smoking should become a priority in mental health services.”
Quitting smoking can be challenging, often requiring help from medical professionals, family, and friends. There are reliable resources available, including support from counselors who can provide strategies and guidance for dealing with the difficulties of quitting.
- Doctors can also prescribe medications to alleviate some of the uncomfortable side effects of quitting.
- Friends and family can create a supportive environment, such as removing smoking-related temptations and understanding common withdrawal symptoms. By utilizing personalized plans and support, smokers can pave their way to a healthier life, both physically and mentally.
Limitations of the Study
One significant limitation of the current study is that the researchers focused their analysis on participants of white British ancestry. Moreover, data from the UK Biobank may not fully represent individuals with more severe mental illnesses. These factors make it difficult to generalize the results and indicate the need for more diverse future research.
Some data were also self-reported by participants, which may not be entirely accurate. The researchers also did not include certain risk factors in their models, which may have contributed to mental illness. Additionally, the analysis does not address how mental illness progression may change once someone begins smoking, nor does it account for factors such as socio-economic deprivation.
The researchers also noted that they did not have biological tests for smoking and focused solely on mental illness based on hospitalization and inpatient treatment rather than outpatient care. Future research may include younger participants, which could help verify and confirm the study’s findings.
Source: MedicalNewsToday
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