A missed opportunity: cessation of smoking among inpatients with mental health disorders?

Authors:
Robert J Tait, Ranita Siru, Gary K Hulse and Riaz JK Khan

Presenter:
Robert Tait
Research Fellow, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Abstract
Persons with mental health disorders (MHD) have higher rates of smoking and poorer cessation outcomes than those without MHD.
A lower level of motivation may partially explain this, but there is little information from inpatients with MHD. We aimed to compare those hospitalised with MHD or non-MHD on: 1) motivation to cease smoking, 2) attempted cessation, 3) aids to cessation and 4) abstinence at six months. Smokers were recruited at a tertiary hospital in Perth, Australia and surveyed at admission and five, 14 days and six months post-discharge. We recruited 64 MHD and 43 non-MHD inpatients. At baseline, there were no significant differences on measures of motivation. Significantly more of the MHD sample attempted smoking cessation (34 versus 13). Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was used by 70% of those attempting to quit but only two received NRT as discharge medication and few (<21%) in either group used NRT post-discharge. At six-months, two people reported continuous abstinence: neither provided a CO sample. Motivation to cease smoking among inpatients with MHD was similar to those without MHD, as was use of NRT while hospitalised. The low provision of post-discharge NRT may contribute to poor cessation outcomes and does not fulfil evidence-based guidelines.

Source of funding: Ranita Siru received an A&A Saw Scholarship from the University of Western Australia in support of her role in
this study.

Declaration of interest: none

About the presenter
Dr Robert Tait’s research interests are in alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and in particular, how these relate to mental health disorders. He is also interested in the development of new treatment interventions, delivery of interventions to new groups and the use of new modes of delivery. He recently moved to the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University to work on the development of internet-based treatment for addictive disorders.