Role of an E-cigarette on Smoking Displacement in Smokers With Schizophrenia
Condition: Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
MeSH terms: Schizophrenia
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      It is well established in the scientific literature that people with schizophrenia smoke
      tobacco cigarettes at rates up to three times that of the general population, relapse more
      frequently, and die an average of 25 years earlier from cigarette smoking and other
      life-style attributable illnesses. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming
      increasingly popular with smokers worldwide and new research suggests that e-cigarettes are
      appealing to smokers with schizophrenia. There is a paucity of research focused on the
      experience of smokers with schizophrenia who decide to try an e-cigarette. A well-designed
      prospective-observational study is needed to learn more about the influence of e-cigarette
      use on cigarette smoking behavior and mental and physical health among smokers with
      schizophrenia. In response, the investigators have designed a study titled, Role of an
      electronic cigarette on smoking displacement in smokers with schizophrenia: A prospective
      3-month pilot study (SchizEcig).
    

Detailed description: 
      This is a prospective 3 month pilot study to observe cigarette use behavior among people with
      a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis who smoke conventional tobacco cigarettes, do not
      intend to reduce or quit smoking, and are invited to use an e-cigarette. The investigators
      are interested to know if e-cigarette use is associated with cigarette smoking displacement.
      Displacement is defined as switching from conventional tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
      The investigators will also monitor for physical and mental health, including blood pressure,
      weight, and scores from the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the
      Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) as well as any reported adverse events
      participants' feel are attributed to e-cigarette use and participants' perceptions of the
      sensory experience associated with e-cigarette use.
    

Intervention name(s): e-cigarette, brand name JUUL
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): This is not an experimental study/trial, rather a prospective observational study. Device will be offered to cohort, but they are not mandated to take or use the device.
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Participants, age 21 to 65 years, will have a DSM 5 schizophrenia spectrum disorder
        diagnosis without evidence of exacerbation of illness as indicated by no relapse to
        hospitalization within the last three months and no change in their antipsychotic treatment
        within the last month. Participants will smoke 20 or more conventional tobacco cigarettes
        per day and at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and do not intend to reduce or quit
        smoking.
      
Keywords: Schizophrenia; Smoking; E-cigarette