ABSTRACT
Objectives: Tobacco smoking is the single most avoidable cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Patients with psychiatric disorders tend to smoke tobacco at a higher rate than the general population, with significant adverse health consequences. This study aimed to determine the rate of tobacco smoking among psychiatric outpatients attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among psychiatric outpatients attending a psychiatric clinic from 1 January to 1 August 2017. The patients' demographic information, history of smoking, previous hospitalizations, and the number of and specific psychotropics used during treatment was documented. The degree of dependence on tobacco smoking was measured using the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence
Results: A total of 272 patients were included in this study. The overall rate of smoking among psychiatric patients was 13.6%. Patients with schizophrenia had the highest rate of smoking [22.2%], followed by those with bipolar [13.1%], and anxiety disorders [11.1%]. Patients who smoked tobacco were more likely to be admitted to the psychiatric ward than non-smokers [p < 0.050]
Conclusions: Tobacco smoking is common among psychiatric patients, a finding consistent with similar studies conducted in different parts of the world. Assessment of smoking status and its associated adverse health associations among patients with mental disorders is of paramount importance
ABSTRACT
Suicide is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world affecting people of all age groups. It has detrimental consequences on patients, their families, and the community as a whole. There have been numerous risk factors described for suicide including mental illness, stressful life situations, loss of social support, and general despair. The association of suicide with Islam has not been extensively studied. The common impression from clinical practice is that being a practicing Muslim reduces the risk of suicide. Another factor associated with suicide is starting a patient on antidepressants. However, this has been questioned recently. This report describes a middle-aged man with depression and multiple social stressors who survived a serious suicide attempt. The discussion will focus on the factors that lead him to want to end his life and the impact of the assumed protective factors such as religious belief and family support on this act of selfharm. Such patients can be on the edge when there is an imbalance between risk factors [such as depression, insomnia, and psychosocial stressors] and protective factors [like religious affiliation and family support]. All physicians are advised to assess the suicide risk thoroughly in patients with depression regardless of any presumed protective factor