Effectiveness of smoking cessation programs for seriously mentally ill

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Significant association exists between mental illness and smoking.
• Socio-cultural factors have minimal impact on this association.
• Adults with major depression, schizophrenia, and psychosis are particularly affected.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review effective smoking cessation strategies for adults with severe mental illness.
• To identify evidence-based interventions for tobacco use disorder in psychiatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Extensive literature search across multiple databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, etc.).
• Selection of systematic reviews, clinical trials, observational studies, and recommendations.
• Inclusion criteria focused on smoking cessation programs for patients with severe mental illness.

Main Results:

• Limited studies were found on smoking cessation in severe mental illness.
• Recommendations include extended treatment, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and pharmacotherapy.
• Significant heterogeneity exists in study recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Uncertainty remains regarding the benefit of smoking cessation treatments for individuals with severe mental illness.
• Drug therapy and psychosocial interventions show potential for abstinence at 6 months in a subset of patients.
• Further research is warranted to optimize cessation strategies for this population.