Nicotine dependence has progressively become a foremost community health interest in the both developed and developing nations due to the economic burden and health-related problem. Smoking was significantly higher among patients with schizophrenia in comparison to the general population. Nicotine dependence is not only associated with public stress, but among patients with schizophrenia, smoking brings major challenges to the management. Nicotine may diminish the therapeutic efficacy of the bioavailability of the psychopharmacological agents in-vivo. These duo perturbations, i.e. two clinical conditions co-existed may prevent psychotic symptoms remission among patient suffering from schizophrenia who is smoking on the same time. The aim of this review was to highlight the role of pharmacological treatment options and strategies for patients with nicotine dependence in schizophrenia with emphasis on the underlying neurobiological process. The role of nicotine replacement therapy, i.e. norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibition (NDRI) e.g. Bupropion and selective partial agonist of α4β2 and full α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor e.g. varenicline were deliberated. An ideal choice of drug targets for patients with schizophrenia with nicotine dependence is pivotal to foster a better therapeutic alliance.

Objective: The COVID-19 is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the coping mechanism among the general population of Malaysia as well as its possible correlates such as Fear of COVID-19, quality of life (QOL) and associated sociodemographic background. Methods: This is an online cross-sectional study involving a total of 4904 adults across Malaysia from June to December 2021. Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced was used to measure coping mechanisms, while the level of fear toward COVID-19 was assessed by fear of COVID-19 scale. QOL was measured by WHOQOL-BREF. Results: Sociodemographic data shows that 59.1% of Malaysians report an overall reduced QOL during the COVID-19 pandemic. 32% of respondents were unemployed during the pandemic and 18% of respondents were working from home. 71% of respondents had at least one or more encounter with COVID-19. We find that problem focused coping mechanism may be effective in face of COVID-19, both, in reducing overall fear toward COVID-19 and improving QOL, while emotional and avoidance coping mechanism has a negative correlation. Other socioeconomic factors such as age, gender, levels of education, income, and employment have a significant positive correlation with QOL and a negative correlation with Fear of COVID-19. Another factor which affects QOL is work from home which has a negative correlation. Conclusion: Based on study findings, problem based coping mechanism is beneficial to reduce Fear of COVID-19 and improve QOL.

Introduction: The objective of this case report was to highlight one of the uncommon subtypes of tardive dyskinesia (TD) as tardive blepharospasm secondary to olanzapine. Case Presentation: We reported a rare case of young-onset schizophrenia in an adolescent patient, who was treated with olanzapine, but subsequently developed tardive blepharospasm. Clinical resolution of the blepharospasm after olanzapine was stopped and switched to quetiapine. Conclusions: Tardive blepharospasm can be a regarded as a presentation of tardive dyskinesia. Complete recovery of the symptoms can be achieved by stopping the offending drug early and switching to a serotonin-dopamine receptor antagonist.