Nicotine dependence in the mental disorders, relationship with clinical indicators, and the meaning for the user

OBJECTIVE: to identify the degree of nicotine dependence among patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders hospitalized in a general hospital, correlating these indices with clinical indicators and the meaning for the user. METHOD: the study was performed in the psychiatric unit of a general hospital, interviewing 270 patients with mental disorders using a questionnaire and the application of the Fagerstrom test. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data and thematic analysis of the content were performed. RESULTS: among the 270 patients with mental disorders, 35.6% were smokers; of whom, 53.2% presented high or very high nicotine dependence. Of the 96 smokers, 32 (33.3%) were schizophrenic, among whom, 59.4% presented high or very high dependence. Higher levels of dependence were also found among the 59 elderly people (61.5%) and 60 subjects with somatic comorbidities (62.5%). Meanings of smoking for the subjects: helps to forget problems and face daily conflicts; alleviates side effects of the medications; self-control; distraction; part of life. CONCLUSION: more intense tobacco dependence among schizophrenic patients is justified due to it helping them to cope with the difficulties of the disease. Nurses occupy a strategic position in the care.