Symptoms and lifetime treatment experiences in psychotic patients with and without substance abuse

The main objective of this study was to compare symptom load and lifetime treatment experiences between psychotic patients with substance abuse problems and psychotic patients without substance abuse problems. This is a cross-sectional study of 48 patients (26 inpatients and 22 outpatients) in a clinic for early intervention in psychosis. Patients' were grouped into two categories based on whether they had a substance abuse problem or not. Twenty-one (43.8%) had a substance abuse problem and 27 (56.2%) had not. We used the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scale to measure symptoms and several scales to measure substance abuse. Parametric tests (independent t-tests) were used to compare continuous variables, and chi-square tests were used to compare frequencies. Positive symptoms, negative symptoms, general psychopathology symptoms and the total score of psychotic symptoms did not differ significantly between the groups with psychosis alone and psychosis with substance abuse. The delusion subscore was significantly higher in the group with psychosis alone (t = -2.3, df = 41, P < 0.05), and the anxiety subscore was significantly higher in the group with psychosis with substance abuse (t = -2.3, df = 41, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the subscores for negative symptoms. The absence of differences in psychotic symptoms between the two groups with psychosis does not imply a strong relationship between psychotic symptoms and substance abuse. These results do not support the self-medication hypothesis. The higher rates of institutionalization among substance abusers may be explained by mechanisms other than exacerbations of psychotic symptoms, as there are few differences in symptoms among abusers and non-abusers.     

The long-term level of functioning in patients admitted for psychotic disorders with and without substance abuse

The main objective of this study was to compare life skills between psychotic patients with substance abuse problems and psychotic patients without substance abuse problems. This is a cross-sectional study of 48 patients (26 inpatients and 22 outpatients) in a clinic for early intervention in psychosis. Patients were grouped into two categories based on if they had a substance abuse problem or not. Twenty-one (43.8%) had a substance abuse problem and 27 (56.2%) had not. We used several scales to measure substance abuse and the Life Skills Profile to measure aspects of functioning. A parametric test (t-test) was used to compare continuous variables. A non-parametric chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. The self-care subscore and the non-turbulence subscore were higher in the group with psychosis alone. These results were not significant controlling for age. The social contact subscore, the communication subscore, the responsibility subscore and the Life Skills Profile total score did not differ significantly between the groups. The abusers did not differ from the non-abusers in functioning in any area measured.     

Increased serum Dickkopf-1 levels in drug-abusing psychotic patients

Background

Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt pathway, which is known to be impaired in both psychotic and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we examined serum DKK1 levels as an indicator of ongoing neurodegeneration in psychotic patients, with or without a recent or current history of drug abuse.

Methods

We measured serum DKK1 levels by ELISA in 22 inpatients with psychosis and no history of drug abuse, 22 with psychosis and drug abuse, and 16 controls. We rated psychopathology using the following rating scales: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS); the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) severity scale; and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Extrapyramidal motor symptoms were assessed by the Simpson-Angus Neurological Rating Scale (NRS).

Results

Inpatients with psychosis and comorbid substance abuse showed significantly higher serum DKK1 levels than inpatients with psychosis and no comorbid substance abuse or controls. Comorbid patients had earlier onset, longer duration of psychosis, and more severe extrapyramidal motor symptoms. However, we did not find any significant correlation between DKK1 levels and rating scale scores.

Conclusion

Psychosis led to elevated serum DKK1 levels, and substance abuse led to a further increase. Knowing that there is a correlation between brain and blood levels of DKK1, we speculate that the observed increase in DKK1 levels reflects drug-induced neurotoxicity in our patients.     

Involuntary hospitalization of first-episode psychosis with substance abuse during a 2-year follow-up

Opsal A, Clausen T, Kristensen Ø, Elvik I, Joa I, Larsen TK. Involuntary hospitalization of first‐episode psychosis with substance abuse during a 2‐year follow‐up. Objective: To investigate whether substance abuse (alcohol or illegal drugs) in patients with first‐episode psychosis (FEP) influenced treatment outcomes such as involuntary hospitalization during follow‐up. Method: First‐episode psychosis patients (n = 103) with consecutive admissions to a comprehensive early psychosis program were included and followed for 2 years. Assessment measures were the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning, and the Clinician Rating Scale (for substance abuse). Results: Twenty‐four per cent of patients abused either alcohol or drugs at baseline. The dropout rate at 2 years was the same for substance abusers as for non‐abusers. Substance use was not reduced over the 2‐year period. At 2‐year follow‐up, 72% of substance abusers and 31% of non‐abusers had experienced at least one occasion of involuntary hospitalization. Patients with substance abuse had significantly higher risk for involuntary hospitalization during follow‐up (OR 5.2). Conclusion: To adequately treat patients with FEP, clinicians must emphasize treatment of the substance abuse disorder, as well as the psychotic illness. Patients with defined comorbid substance use disorders and FEP are likely to have poorer treatment response than those with psychosis alone.     

The influence of substance use on the effectiveness of antipsychotic medication: a prospective,pragmatic study

Abstract

Background: Psychosis is associated with a high prevalence of substance use, leading to worsened prognosis. Less is known about how comorbid substance abuse may influence the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of second generation antipsychotics in patients with psychosis with and without substance use.

Methods: All patients (n?=?226) were aged >18 years old had symptom level scores of ≥4 on selected psychosis items on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and met ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for psychosis. Information on substance use was collected based on the Clinician Drug Use Scale. Patients were grouped at baseline according to the presence of substance use, medication history and diagnosis group. Clinical symptoms at baseline and changes at follow-up were assessed with the PANSS.

Results: At baseline about 30% of the patients used substances, most frequently cannabis followed by methamphetamine. About half (47%) of the patients had no prior exposure to antipsychotic medication at inclusion. Patients who had consumed substances showed no substantial differences in the PANSS score reduction as a result of antipsychotic medication compared to patients without substance. There were, however, some group differences in relation to pattern of change that were influenced by medication history. Substance use was found to be related to stronger reduction of positive symptoms from week 4 to week 27.

Conclusion: Substance use alone did not influence antipsychotic effectiveness in this sample of patients with psychosis.     

Substance abuse and suicidality in schizophrenia: a common risk factor linked to impulsivity

Lifetime substance abuse comorbidity is frequent in schizophrenic patients, but the clinical correlates remain unclear. We have explored the chronological relations between substance abuse and course of schizophrenia, and compared several clinical characteristics and personality dimensions in 50 schizophrenic patients with or without lifetime substance abuse or dependence. Abuse occurred mainly after the first prodromal symptoms and just before the first psychotic episode. Substance-abusing patients were not different from non-substance-abusing patients on the Chapman Physical Anhedonia Scale, PANSS total score, negative subscore or depression item, CGI, treatment response and demographic variables. In contrast, substance-abusing patients had higher scores on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (total, cognitive and non-planning scores) and had attempted suicide more often. In patients with schizophrenia, as in the general population, substance abuse or dependence appears associated with higher impulsivity and suicidality. High impulsivity could facilitate substance abuse as a maladaptive behavior in response to prodromal symptoms, precipitating the onset of a characterized psychosis.     

Comorbid substance abuse and brain morphology in recent-onset psychosis

The aim of the presented study was to compare schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients early in the course of the disease with and without comorbid substance abuse disorder (SUD vs. NSUD) with regard to brain morphology. In a prospective design 41 patients (20 SUD vs. 21 NSUD) diagnosed as recent-onset schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder consecutively admitted to hospital received standardized psychopathological evaluation (BPRS, SANS, MADRS, CGI, GAF) and MRI scanning with volumetric measurement of superior temporal gyrus (STG), amygdala-hippocampal complex, and cingulum. Patients with SUD (primarily cannabis) were significantly younger, predominantly male and had a lower socioeconomic status. Despite less attentional impairment (SANS subscore) and elevated anxiety/depression (BPRS subscore) in patients with SUD compared to NSUD, no other psychopathological differences could be detected. There were no differences in the assessed temporolimbic brain morphology between the two subgroups. In conclusion, in this study substance abuse in recent-onset psychosis had no effect on brain morphology and the earlier onset of psychosis in patients with comorbid SUD could not be explained by supposed accentuated brain abnormalities in temporolimbic regions.     

Medication nonadherence and substance abuse in psychotic disorders: impact of depressive symptoms and social stability

Although studies have consistently shown a strong relationship between medication nonadherence and substance abuse in psychotic disorders, less is understood about the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the relationship between substance abuse and medication nonadherence in psychosis is mediated by depressive symptoms and social stability. Participants interviewed (N = 528) were adults with schizophrenia and related disorders receiving public mental health services in four US states. Multivariate analyses showed substance abuse, depressive symptoms, and living stability each contributed to medication nonadherence; thus, the relationship between substance abuse and medication adherence in psychotic disorders did not appear to be mediated by the selected variables. Instead, a robust association between depressive symptoms and medication adherence was found, attesting to the utility of assessing for depression when evaluating adherence among people with psychosis. Living instability was common and related to medication nonadherence, too, warranting further investigation.     

Adolescent Cannabis Use,Psychosis and Catechol-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Methyltransferase Genotype in African Americans and Caucasians

Cannabis has been reported as a likely risk factor for the development of psychosis, and a gene × environment interaction with the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been proposed. Moreover, COMT has been separately linked to affective symptoms in psychosis. Despite a high rate of cannabis abuse and affective symptoms in African Americans, no studies exploring a relationship between COMT and psychosis in this group have been reported. An existing database of psychotic patients with and without adolescent cannabis use/affective symptoms was examined, and chi-square analyses for independence were applied separately for both Caucasians and African-Americans to examine genotype associations with adolescent cannabis use and affective symptoms (past or present). The two subject groups did not differ with respect to the prevalence of adolescent cannabis abuse or presence of affective symptoms. Further study is needed, with non-psychotic controls and larger samples.     

Working memory predicts presence of auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychosis

Objective: The recent dramatic increase in research investigating auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) has broadened the former narrow focus on schizophrenia to incorporate additional populations that experience these symptoms. However, an understanding of potential shared mechanisms remains elusive. Based on theories suggesting a failure of top-down cognitive control, we aimed to compare the relationship between AVHs and cognition in two categorical diagnoses of psychosis, schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder. Method: A total of 124 adults aged 21–60 participated, of whom 76 had present-state psychosis (schizophrenia, n = 53; bipolar disorder with psychosis, n = 23), and 48 were non-clinical controls. Diagnosis and hallucination presence was determined using the Structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV TR. AVHs severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Participants also completed the MATRICS cognitive battery. Results: The bipolar disorder with psychosis group performed better than the schizophrenia group for cognitive domains of Processing speed, Attention, Working memory (WM), and Visual memory. Hierarchical binary logistic regression found that WM significantly predicted presence of AVHs in both psychotic groups, but diagnosis did not significantly increase the predictive value of the model. A hierarchical multiple linear regression found that schizophrenia diagnosis was the only significant predictor of hallucination severity. Conclusions: The findings of this study—the first, to our knowledge, to compare the relationship between AVHs and MATRICS domains across schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychosis—support theories that deficits in WM underly the genesis of AVHs. WM potentially represents a shared mechanism of AVHs across diagnoses, supporting dimensional classifications of these psychotic disorders. However, non-cognitive factors predictive of hallucination severity may be specific to schizophrenia.     

The Impact of Cannabis Use on Clinical Outcomes in Recent Onset Psychosis

Background: There are inconsistencies in findings as to whether cannabis use has a negative impact on clinical outcomes for people with established psychosis. Effects may be more evident on patients with recent onset psychosis. Aim: To investigate the relationship between cannabis use and clinical outcome, including whether change in cannabis use affects psychotic symptoms, affective symptoms, functioning and psychotic relapse in a sample of people in early psychosis with comorbid cannabis abuse or dependence. Methods: One hundred and ten participants were examined prospectively with repeated measures of substance use antecedent to psychopathology at baseline, 4.5, 9, and 18 months. We used random intercept models to estimate the effects of cannabis dose on subsequent clinical outcomes and whether change in cannabis use was associated with change in outcomes. Results: There was no evidence of a specific association between cannabis use and positive symptoms, or negative symptoms, relapse or hospital admissions. However, a greater dose of cannabis was associated with subsequent higher depression and anxiety. Change in the amount of cannabis used was associated with statistically significant corresponding change in anxiety scores, but not depression. Additionally, reductions in cannabis exposure were related to improved patient functioning. Conclusions: Reducing cannabis may be directly associated with improvements in anxiety and functioning, but not other specific symptoms.Key words: psychosis, cannabis, substance use, dual diagnosis     

Results of a screening survey for co-morbid substance misuse amongst patients in treatment for psychotic disorders: prevalence and service needs in an inner London borough

Background: There is great concern in the UK, and other countries, about the clinical management of psychosis and substance misuse co-morbidity. However, relatively little is known about the UK prevalence and management of co-morbidity. Method: We implemented a screening survey of patients who were in treatment with an inner London adult mental health service and measured the prevalence of substance misuse amongst 851 psychotic patients. Caseworkers reported substance misuse and assessed clinical management arrangements. Results: Current prevalence of substance misuse was 24.4 % (95% CI: 21.3–27.1). Rates of co-morbidity were higher in males (31 % vs 16 %, χ² 1df=26.0, P < 0.001) and patients over 51 (χ² 3df=50.1, P < 0.001). Adjusted odds of co-morbidity in patients under 51 were 0.19 (95 % CI: 0.10–0.34) and 0.47 for females (95 % CI: 0.32–0.69). Substance misuse interventions were provided to 20 % of co-morbid patients – Only 5 % were compliant. Conclusions: The findings suggest substance misuse may be highly prevalent amongst psychotic patients. Most co-morbid patients do not receive appropriate treatment. The development of evidence-based interventions should be a priority. Accepted: 2 April 2001     

Substance-Induced Psychosis

Intoxication and withdrawal from a variety of central nervous system depressants and stimulants may induce hallucinations or delusions, which, when unaccompanied by insight, are the hallmarks of psychosis. A substance-induced psychosis may, in many instances, present as an organic psychosis or as an independent mental disorder (eg, schizophrenia), complicating diagnostic efforts. Ramifications of a misdiagnosed psychotic illness are potentially long-lasting and harmful to a patient. It is, therefore, crucial that health care providers be aware of the complex relationship between substance abuse, psychotic symptoms, and independent psychotic disorders. This report addresses substance-induced psychosis, by describing those psychotic symptoms most commonly associated with the abuse of specific drugs and alcohol, detailing useful diagnostic techniques and outlining treatment recommendations.     

Do Child Abuse and Maltreatment Increase Risk of Schizophrenia?

Introduction

IntroductionaaAlthough childhood abuse is a recognised risk factor for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance misuse, its role in the aetiology of psychotic disorder remained controversial. This is in part because the putative effect of childhood trauma on psychosis has been mostly evaluated by small, cross sectional, uncontrolled studies that raised methodological issues.

Methods

Papers concerning the association between childhood trauma and psychotic disorders (to November, 2011) were identified using a comprehensive search of PubMed, Psychinfo, and Scopus and analysing reference list of relevant papers. A narrative synthesis was used to summarise results.

Results

An association between childhood abuse and psychotic symptoms was consistently reported by large cross sectional surveys with an effect ranging from 1.7 to 15. However, we cannot conclude that the relationship is causal as lack of longitudinal studies prevent us from fully excluding alternative explanations such as reverse causality. Gender, cannabis use, and depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms appear to moderate the effect of childhood trauma on psychotic disorders. However, specificity of childhood abuse in psychotic disorders and, particularly, in schizophrenia has not been demonstrated.

Conclusion

Although the association between childhood abuse and psychosis has been replicated, the etiological role of such early adversity has yet to be fully clarified. So far none of the studies reported support the hypothesis that childhood abuse is either sufficient or necessary to develop a psychotic disorder. It seems likely that any effect of childhood abuse on schizophrenia needs to be understood in terms of genetic susceptibility and interaction with other environmental risk factors.     

Cannabis psychoses in south Sweden

Eleven patients with a psychosis in connection with cannabis abuse admitted to two mental hospitals during 1 year were examined. Patients with a preexistent psychosis or a mixed abuse were excluded. The patients were divided into three groups: acute, sub-acute and chronic. The features of the disease were essentially similar in all patients, with a mixture of affective and schizophrenia-like symptoms, confusion and a pronounced aggressiveness. The course as a rule was self-limiting leaving no residual symptoms. There was almost no heredity of severe mental disease. The symptoms were very similar to those seen in cycloid psychosis, and a possible relationship between the two diseases is discussed. As regards the widespread abuse of cannabis we conclude that psychosis is a rare complication but that in unclear psychotic states it is recommended to actively search for a cannabis psychosis.     

Child Sexual Abuse and Age at Onset of Psychotic Disorders: A Matched-cohort Study: L’âge d’apparition des troubles psychotiques chez les victimes d’agression sexuelle à l’enfance: Une étude prospective de cohortes appariées

Objective:Victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) present with a higher risk of psychotic disorders. However, the developmental course of psychosis following CSA, such as the age at onset, remains unknown. This study aimed to determine whether the age at onset of psychotic disorders was influenced by sexual abuse, sex, and confounding factors (substance misuse, intellectual disability, and socioeconomic status).Method:A prospective matched-cohort design was used, with administrative databases from a child protection agency (CPA) and a public health system. Children who received a substantiated report of CSA at the CPA and whose health data could be retrieved were selected (n = 882) and matched with children from the general population using their date of birth, sex, and geographical area. Survival analysis was performed to estimate the association between sexual abuse, sex, and confounding factors and the age at onset of psychotic disorders.Results:Sexual abuse and substance misuse are significantly associated with the age at onset of psychotic disorders. In the sexually abused group, only substance misuse is associated with the age at onset of psychotic disorders, but this was not significant for the general population.Conclusions:These findings highlight the importance of prevention of psychotic disorders among sexually abused youth, especially those with a substance misuse diagnosis.     

Substance use and cognition in early psychosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between substance use and cognition in individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional and longitudinal study. SETTING: An Early Psychosis Treatment and Prevention Program, an outpatient clinic in a psychiatry department at a university-affiliated hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with a psychotic illness who were admitted to an Early Psychosis Program; 266 patients were assessed at initial presentation, 159 at 1 year and 90 at 2 years. Most were outpatients. MEASURES: The effects of substance use (alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, cocaine, stimulants) on cognition were assessed. Substance use was determined by DSM-IV criteria, and the Case Manager Rating Scale was used to determine the level of substance use. A comprehensive cognitive battery of tests was used, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for schizophrenia was administered to all subjects to determine levels of positive and negative symptoms. RESULTS: Overall, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, there were no significant associations between cognitive functioning and the use of various substances. Substance use was associated with higher positive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with psychotic disorders who show mild-to-moderate abuse of substances, in particular alcohol and cannabis, do not exhibit more cognitive impairment than those who do not do use the substances. However, substance use may have other detrimental effects on the process of the psychotic illness.     

Substance abuse and schizophrenia: effect on symptoms but not on neurocognitive function.

The authors compare symptoms and neuropsychological test performance in DSM-III schizophrenic patients who reported prior substance abuse (N = 38) with those in patients who reported no such abuse (N = 25) to determine the impact of substance abuse on the psychopathology of schizophrenia. Positive and negative symptom scores were derived from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Sixty neuropsychological measures drawn from commonly used tests of intelligence, memory, learning, fluency, and problem solving were calculated. Separate analyses were performed on patients in a psychotic episode who were free of neuroleptics (N = 27) and on those taking maintenance neuroleptics (N = 36). Among unmedicated patients, those who reported prior substance abuse had significantly higher thought disorder scores. Among neuroleptic-medicated patients, hallucination and delusion scores were significantly higher in the patients who reported prior substance abuse. The substance abuse followed withdrawal from social relations and preceded the onset of positive symptoms. None of the neuropsychological tests discriminated between abusers and nonabusers.     

AGE AND PSYCHOSIS IN DEGENERATIVE DEMENTIA

Among psychiatric inpatients with primary degenerative dementia, those with psychotic symptoms (N=20) were older than those without (N=20) (t=3.48; p<0.001). Persecutory delusions were the most frequent psychotic phenomena. Duration of dementia overlapped, but scores on the Global Deterioration Scale and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia were lower in the psychotic group after correcting for age. The limited literature concerning demographic and clinical correlates of psychosis in dementia is reviewed; the age difference noted is consistent with two other reports. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Revisiting the association between childhood trauma and psychosis in bipolar disorder: A quasi-dimensional path-analysis

BackgroundChildhood trauma has been associated with a more severe clinical expression of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the results that specifically associated traumatic events and psychotic features in BD have been inconsistent, possibly due to the low resolution of the phenotypes being used.Methods270 normothymic patients with BD completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Peters Delusion Inventory (PDI) that assessed 21 delusional beliefs. Patients were characterized for the lifetime presence of psychotic features during episodes and cannabis misuse in accordance with DSM-IV. We performed a series of path analyses to investigate the links from three types of childhood abuse (physical, sexual and emotional) directly to delusional beliefs and psychotic features, and indirectly through cannabis misuse.ResultsA first path analysis showed no link between any of the childhood abuse types and psychotic features when only a categorical definition of psychosis was used. When incorporating the quasi-dimensional measure of delusional beliefs in a second path analysis, we found that emotional and physical abuse and cannabis misuse were each directly associated with PDI score. PDI score and psychotic features were strongly correlated. Childhood abuse did not operate through cannabis misuse to increase delusional beliefs. Including type of BD in the model did not alter the results.ConclusionEmotional and physical abuse, but also cannabis misuse, increased delusional beliefs in patients with BD. Using a quasi-dimensional measure of psychotic symptoms in BD provided higher resolution of the psychosis phenotype and helped reconcile ambiguous findings from previous studies.