People with schizophrenia show higher-than-normal rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, research on their understanding of diabetes self-efficacy and self-care behaviours is lacking. This study compared differences in scores of self-efficacy and self-care behaviours between outpatients with comorbid schizophrenia and T2DM and outpatients with T2DM alone. Data were collected using the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activity questionnaire. In total, 105 outpatients with schizophrenia and T2DM and 106 outpatients with T2DM returned completed questionnaires. Results of this study revealed that outpatients with schizophrenia and T2DM had significantly lower total self-efficacy and self-care scores than outpatients with only T2DM. The stepwise regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy, the haemoglobin A1C level and current smoking were significant predictors of self-care behaviours in outpatients with comorbid schizophrenia and T2DM, which explained 33.20% of the variance. These findings help mental health professionals improve patient care through a better understanding of self-care behaviours among outpatients with comorbid schizophrenia and T2DM.

INTRODUCTION Relatively few, mainly cross-sectional, studies have examined the relationship between smoking cessation and metabolic syndrome (MetS). In particular, information on smoking cessation after MetS is limited. This study aimed to investigate the probability of smoking cessation after the onset of MetS. METHODS In this study we used cohort data from a rural area of Korea and extracted the data of 1054 smokers who were identifiable at baseline and were followed up. Of these, 1041 individuals were selected. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to identify the basic characteristics of smokers. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association between changes in MetS and smoking cessation. RESULTS The probability of smoking cessation was 1.84 times higher in the newly developed MetS cohort than in the reference group (without MetS at any time point), and it was 1.61 times higher in the persistent MetS cohort than in the reference group, with both probabilities being significant. CONCLUSIONS We found that patients with MetS were more likely to quit smoking than those without MetS. However, intervention is still needed, as numerous patients with MetS continued to smoke. Interventions that actively involve medical institutions or organizations are among the most effective approaches to promote smoking cessation in patients with MetS. In particular, women, farmers and current drinkers should be prioritized.