Substance Use in Patients With First-Episode Psychosis: Is Gender Relevant?

Observed Trajectories of Cannabis Use and Concurrent Longitudinal Outcomes in Youth and Young Adults Receiving Coordinated Specialty Care for Early Psychosis

Cannabis use is present and persistent in young adults with early psychosis receiving Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) in the United States. While CSC programs are effective in improving quality of life, helping individuals reach goals, and promoting recovery, cannabis use may limit the extent of these improvements. This study extended upon previous findings to examine trajectories of cannabis use among individuals with early psychosis. The sample consisted of 1325 CSC participants enrolled for more than one year at OnTrackNY and followed up to two years, categorized into three groups: no use, reduced use, and persistent use. Baseline demographic and clinical differences were compared across groups and associations between clinical and psychosocial outcomes at 12 months and 24 months were examined across groups. Of the sample, 40 % remained persistent users over two years while 12.8 % reduced their use. At baseline, persistent users were younger (p = 0.011), more likely to be male (p < 0.001), had lower education levels (p = 0.019), and were more likely to have had past legal issues prior to admission (p < 0.001) than non-users. At 2 years, persistent users had significantly worse symptom scores than non-users (p = 0.0003) and reduced users (p = 0.0004). These findings highlight the presence of persistent cannabis use being common in this population and the need to improve substance use treatment offered to allow more CSC participants to achieve improved outcomes.

Association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia stronger in young males than in females

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests an increase in schizophrenia population attributable risk fraction (PARF) for cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, sex and age variations in CUD and schizophrenia suggest the importance of examining differences in PARFs in sex and age subgroups.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide Danish register-based cohort study including all individuals aged 16-49 at some point during 1972-2021. CUD and schizophrenia status was obtained from the registers. Hazard ratios (HR), incidence risk ratios (IRR), and PARFs were estimated. Joinpoint analyses were applied to sex-specific PARFs.

RESULTS

We examined 6 907 859 individuals with 45 327 cases of incident schizophrenia during follow-up across 129 521 260 person-years. The overall adjusted HR (aHR) for CUD on schizophrenia was slightly higher among males (aHR = 2.42, 95% CI 2.33-2.52) than females (aHR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.89-2.17); however, among 16-20-year-olds, the adjusted IRR (aIRR) for males was more than twice that for females (males: aIRR = 3.84, 95% CI 3.43-4.29; females: aIRR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.53-2.15). During 1972-2021, the annual average percentage change in PARFs for CUD in schizophrenia incidence was 4.8 among males (95% CI 4.3-5.3; p < 0.0001) and 3.2 among females (95% CI 2.5-3.8; p < 0.0001). In 2021, among males, PARF was 15%; among females, it was around 4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Young males might be particularly susceptible to the effects of cannabis on schizophrenia. At a population level, assuming causality, one-fifth of cases of schizophrenia among young males might be prevented by averting CUD. Results highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of CUD and policy decisions regarding cannabis use and access, particularly for 16-25-year-olds.

Substance use Specificities in Women with Psychosis: A Critical Review

BACKGROUND

Women with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders differ from male patients in many respects, including psychopathology, prognosis, disease course, and substance use comorbidities. Most studies performed to date to investigate the association between drug use and psychosis have not evaluated gender differences, although this has started to change in recent years.

METHODS

We briefly summarize the available evidence on gender differences in drug use and substance use disorders (SUD) in psychotic patients during the early phases of the psychotic illness and during the course of schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Substance use and SUD are both less prevalent in women, both in the general population and at all phases of the psychotic spectrum. Some studies suggest that SUD may be under diagnosed in female patients, in part due to their more vulnerable profile. Substance use, especially cannabis, may more negatively impact females, especially on the disease course and prognosis. The available data suggest that it may be more difficult to treat SUD in female patients with schizophrenia, which could negatively impact prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Women with concomitant psychotic illness and SUD comprise a highly vulnerable subgroup. This should be considered when selecting the treatment approach, especially in the early phases of the illness, to ensure better outcomes.

Cognitive functioning and cannabis use in first-episode psychosis

AIM

Cannabis use is common in people with psychotic disorders. However, the effect of cannabis on cognition in psychosis remains unclear. Our study investigates relationships between the history of cannabis use and cognitive performance in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) during a one-year follow-up.

METHODS

The present study included FEP (N = 91) and control (N = 61) groups. Cannabis use was evaluated with a self-report questionnaire, clinical assessment, and medical records during a lifetime and 12 months prior to the treatment onset (recent). Symptoms of psychosis and anxiety were evaluated on the brief psychiatric rating scale. Negative symptoms were assessed using the scale for the assessment of negative symptoms. Cognitive tests were used to evaluate neurocognition (summarized in the g factor) and social cognition. Crude regression analyses for the g factor included variables of cannabis use as independent variables. Full regression models were controlled for gender, education, and clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

In the FEP group, men used cannabis more frequently than women. In the crude regression model for FEP patients, never having used cannabis was associated with a better neurocognitive profile at 12 months. In the full model, more severe anxiety symptoms were associated with better neurocognition at two months, and less severe negative symptoms were associated with better neurocognition at 12 months. Cannabis use was not associated with social cognition. No associations between cognitive performance and cannabis use emerged in the controls.

CONCLUSION

Negative and affective symptom severity in FEP was associated with cognitive performance to a greater degree than a lifetime history of cannabis use.

Gender differences in the association between environment and psychosis

Various environmental exposures have been associated with psychosis spectrum disorder. However, the role of gender in this association has received little attention. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate gender-related differences and identified 47 research articles investigating the associations of psychosis with childhood adversity, substance use, urbanicity, migration, season of birth, and obstetric complication in the PubMed database. The findings suggest that childhood abuse may be more strongly associated with a risk to develop psychosis and an earlier age at onset of illness in women than in men. Furthermore, childhood adversity has been associated with the severity of different symptom dimensions in men and women. Growing up in an urban environment and immigration are more strongly associated with psychosis risk in men than in women. Despite a higher prevalence of substance abuse comorbidity in men diagnosed with psychotic disorders, it appears that the association between substance use and psychosis risk may be stronger in women. These findings should be evaluated with caution considering several methodological limitations, limited number of studies, and lack of consistency across results. Overall, although further investigation is needed, our review shows that gender-related differences in the associations of environmental exposures with psychosis expression may exist.

Gender Differences in Dual Diagnoses Associated with Cannabis Use: A Review

Gender differences in psychiatric disorders and drug use are well known. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug among young people. In recent years, its use has been related to the development of psychiatric pathologies; however, few studies have incorporated the gender perspective as of yet. The present work analyses the literature to determine the existence of gender differences in the development of psychotic, depressive and anxious symptoms associated with cannabis use. First, we describe cannabis misuse and its consequences, paying special attention to adolescent subjects. Second, the main gender differences in psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis, depression, anxiety and cannabis use disorders, are enumerated. Subsequently, we discuss the studies that have evaluated gender differences in the association between cannabis use and the appearance of psychotic, depressive and anxious symptoms; moreover, we consider the possible explanations for the identified gender differences. In conclusion, the studies referred to in this review reveal the existence of gender differences in psychiatric symptoms associated with cannabis use, although the direction of such differences is not always clear. Future research is necessary to discern the causal relationship between cannabis use and the development of psychiatric symptoms, as well as the gender differences found.

Adversity in childhood/adolescence and premorbid tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use among first-episode psychosis patients

AIM

Premorbid substance use is widely recognized as a crucial factor in early psychosis. We explored the effects of childhood/adolescent adversity on premorbid tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use. We hypothesized that adversity in childhood would be associated with an increased likelihood of use, and amount of intake, of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. We analysed which domains of adversity have the greatest impact.

METHODS

First-episode psychosis patients were enrolled from six inpatient psychiatric units in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C. Premorbid substance use was thoroughly measured, and childhood/adolescent adversity was rated using 14 scales/subscales. Factor analysis was used to reduce these scales/subscales to the three domains of adversity (termed Violence and Environmental Adversity, Interpersonal Abuse, and Neglect and Lack of Connectedness). Regression analyses determined associations between adversity domains and premorbid substance use.

RESULTS

Our sample (n = 247) primarily consisted of African Americans (86.2%) and males (74.5%). Violence and Environmental Adversity was significantly associated with five of six substance use variables and marginally associated with the sixth. Interpersonal Abuse was unassociated with substance use, and Neglect and Lack of Connectedness was associated only with a lower likelihood cannabis use. When Violence and Environmental Adversity results were stratified by gender, effects on tobacco use and amount of tobacco use were stronger among females.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood/adolescent trauma and adversity have meaningful associations with premorbid substance use in first-episode psychosis patients. First-episode psychosis and clinical high-risk treatment settings may benefit from expanding the assessment of childhood/adolescent adversity to include factors pertaining to violence exposure and adversities beyond abuse and neglect.

Multimodal assessment of white matter microstructure in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and confounding effects of recreational drug use

Cerebral white matter (WM) aberrations in schizophrenia have been linked to multiple neurobiological substrates but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Moreover, antipsychotic treatment and substance use constitute potential confounders. Multimodal studies using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) may provide deeper insight into the whole brain WM pathophysiology in schizophrenia. We combined DTI and MTI to investigate WM integrity in 51 antipsychotic-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia patients and 55 matched healthy controls, using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Psychopathology was assessed with the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). A whole brain partial least squares correlation (PLSC) method was used to conjointly analyze DTI-derived measures (fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), mode of anisotropy (MO)) and the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) to identify group differences, and associations with psychopathology. In secondary analyses, we excluded recreational substance users from both groups resulting in 34 patients and 51 healthy controls. The primary PLSC group difference analysis identified a significant pattern of lower FA, AD, MO and higher RD in patients (p = 0.04). This pattern suggests disorganized WM microstructure in patients. The secondary PLSC group difference analysis without recreational substance users revealed a significant pattern of lower FA and higher AD, RD, MO, MTR in patients (p = 0.04). This pattern in the substance free patients is consistent with higher extracellular free-water concentrations, which may reflect neuroinflammation. No significant associations with psychopathology were observed. Recreational substance use appears to be a confounding issue, which calls for attention in future WM studies.

Persistent cannabis use among young adults with early psychosis receiving coordinated specialty care in the United States

Persistent cannabis use among young adults with first episode psychosis (FEP), even those receiving early intervention services, has been associated with poor outcomes. In the United States (US), Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) has been shown to be more effective at reducing symptoms, improving quality of life and increasing involvement in work or school, compared to typical care for FEP. However, little is known about the prevalence, course and outcomes for cannabis use in this real-world, clinical setting. This study examined the prevalence, course and outcomes of cannabis use categorized into three groups: no use, reduced use, and persistent use, among a sample of 938 CSC participants enrolled for at least 1 year. Prevalence of cannabis use was 38.8% at admission and 32.8% of the sample had persistent cannabis use at 1 year. At baseline, persistent cannabis users were more likely to be male (p < .001), white, non-Hispanic and black non-Hispanic (p = .001), have worse symptoms as measured by the GAF (p < .001), increased suicidality (p = .024), violent ideation (p = .008), and legal trouble (p = .006) compared with non-users. At 1 year, persistent users maintained worse symptoms compared with non-users (p = .021) while those who reduced use had significant improvement in symptoms compared with persistent users (p = .008). This study suggests that cannabis use is common among young adults enrolled in a CSC program in the US and that persistent cannabis users may have worse outcomes while reducing cannabis use may improve outcomes. These findings highlight the potential impact of secondary prevention in this population through reduction in cannabis use.

The impact of sex and cannabis on clinical features in first-admitted patients with psychosis

There is a scarcity of studies investigating the effect of sex on the clinical and treatment characteristics of first-admitted patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP). The reasons for using cannabis and the effect of cannabis on clinical features have not received enough attention either. We aim therefore, to investigate sex differences in the reasons for cannabis use and to determine the effects of sex, cannabis use and their interaction on clinical variables at admission and at discharge from the inpatient unit. 204 first-admitted FEPs in two inpatient units in Spain were included. The reasons for using cannabis were determined using the Dixon questionnaire. Clinical variables were compared between sexes and between cannabis users and non-users. Cannabis use was more frequent in males, but females were more likely to smoke cannabis to "feel relaxed". There was a main effect of sex on positive psychotic symptoms and antipsychotics dose and an interaction effect of cannabis and sex on global functioning at discharge .Our findings show sex differences in the reasons for cannabis use and in some clinical and treatment characteristics among FEP patients. More studies focusing on gender perspectives are needed to develop more individualized treatments.

First-episode psychosis and substance use in Nelson Mandela Bay: Findings from an acute mental health unit

Background

Use of psychoactive substances is a common finding in studies on first-episode psychosis (FEP), and this has prognostic implications. We know very little about psychoactive substance use (SU) among patients with FEP in the Eastern Cape province (EC) of South Africa (SA).

Aim

The study seeks to determine SU prevalence and associated features among inpatients with non-affective FEP in an acute mental health unit (MHU) in Nelson Mandela Bay, EC.

Setting

Researchers conducted a retrospective clinical file review of a 12-month admission cohort of patients with FEP, without a concurrent mood episode, to the Dora Nginza Hospital MHU. Information collected included SU history, psychiatric diagnoses, and demographics. Data were then subjected to statistical analysis.

Methods

Researchers conducted a retrospective clinical file review of a 12-month admission cohort of patients with FEP, without a concurrent mood episode, to the Dora Nginza Hospital MHU. Information collected included SU history, psychiatric diagnoses and demographics. Data were then subjected to statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 117 patients (86 [73.5%] males; 31 [26.5%] females) aged 18–60 years (mean 29 years) met the inclusion criteria. After controlling for missing information, 95 of 117 (81.2%) patients had a history of active or previous SU, 82 of 90 (91.1%) were single and 61 of 92 (66.3%) were unemployed. A significant association was found between SU and unemployment (p < 0.001), as well as male sex (p < 0.001). The most common substances used were cannabis (59.8%), followed by alcohol (57.3%) and stimulants (46.4%).

Conclusion

In keeping with national and international literature, the results of this study showed a high prevalence of substance use in South African patients with first-episode psychosis. The high prevalence of lifetime substance use in this cohort compared to previous studies in South Africa requires further investigation and highlights the urgent need for dual diagnosis services in the Eastern Cape province.

Comparison between a morocco and a native-born population, in a sample of first episode psychosis

INTRODUCTION

Ethnic differences have been studied previously in schizophrenia and first episodes of psychosis (FEP). Previous studies in Netherlands have reported a higher incidence of psychosis in male Moroccan immigrants and more clinical severity. However there is lack of studies in Spain with morocco population and FEP.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine the clinical differences in a sample of FEP between Morocco and Spanish population, recruited in a hospitalisation unit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive and cross-sectional study of 83 inpatients (FEP). Functionality and symptomatology were evaluated at entry and discharge, the pattern of use of cannabis was evaluated at entry, the dose of antipsychotic and the pattern of side-effects at discharge. Comparisons between native-born population and Morocco population was made with univariate analysis and logistic regression was made for evaluating the independence of the associations.

RESULTS

The 28.9% of the sample was Morocco group. No significance differences were found in clinical characteristics between groups at entry or at discharge. Compared with native-born, the Morocco group were more male, with less years of education, worse functionality, reported less use of cannabis, a better pattern of side effects and a tendency of more prescription of LAis. After the multivariate analysis, just remains a lower functionality (OR 0.93; IC 95%: 0.88-0.99, P=0.02) and lower years of education (OR 0.75; IC 95%: 0.56-1.01, P=0.05), remain significative with being related with Morocco origin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence for ethnic differences in Morocco population with FEP. Patients with Morocco ethnicity have more probability of being males, less years of educations. Have lower functionality and a better profile of side effects.

Counting up the risks: How common are risk factors for morbidity and mortality in young people with psychosis?

BACKGROUND

This study examined the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular (CV)-related morbidity and mortality in young people with psychosis aged 18 to 24 years.

METHODS

The study included 132 people aged 18 to 24 years who participated in the 2010 second Australian national survey of people living with psychosis. The 2009 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Health Risks report was used as a framework to determine which specific risk factors were present in each in these young people. The risk factors assessed in this study were smoking, alcohol use, hypertension, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, high blood glucose, high cholesterol and poor diet. Each risk factor was defined according to WHO criteria. A count of the total number of risk factors present for each participant was determined. Data for male and female participants were compared.

RESULTS

Young men had an average of 2.9 (SD 1.2) risk factors. Young women had an average of 2.4 (SD 1.2) risk factors. The most common risk factors were low fruit and vegetable intake (77.9%), cigarette smoking (67.7%), overweight/obesity (55%) and physical inactivity (39.8%). There were no significant differences between men and women in the number of risk factors present, or the prevalence of individual risk factors.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that many of the risk factors that ultimately contribute to disability and premature death are present at an early age in people with psychosis. Preventive measures need to be an integral component of early intervention services for this client population to avert progression to serious CV morbidity and early mortality.

The link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder: A unifying hypothesis

Substance use disorders occur commonly in patients with schizophrenia and dramatically worsen their overall clinical course. While the exact mechanisms contributing to substance use in schizophrenia are not known, a number of theories have been put forward to explain the basis of the co-occurrence of these disorders. We propose here a unifying hypothesis that combines recent evidence from epidemiological and genetic association studies with brain imaging and pre-clinical studies to provide an updated formulation regarding the basis of substance use in patients with schizophrenia. We suggest that the genetic determinants of risk for schizophrenia (especially within neural systems that contribute to the risk for both psychosis and addiction) make patients vulnerable to substance use. Since this vulnerability may arise prior to the appearance of psychotic symptoms, an increased use of substances in adolescence may both enhance the risk for developing a later substance use disorder, and also serve as an additional risk factor for the appearance of psychotic symptoms. Future studies that assess brain circuitry in a prospective longitudinal manner during adolescence prior to the appearance of psychotic symptoms could shed further light on the mechanistic underpinnings of these co-occurring disorders while identifying potential points of intervention for these difficult-to-treat co-occurring disorders.

The interaction of gender and cannabis in early phase psychosis

Cannabis is the third most common recreational drug used world-wide after tobacco and alcohol. Globally, cannabis legalization is becoming more common. In light of its known link to psychosis development, it is imperative that we are well-informed regarding the impact of cannabis on the course of psychosis, in both males and females. However, the majority of the work to date on the role of cannabis in psychosis outcomes has not had a gender focus, important when considering patient specific treatments. This review examines what is currently known, from gender focused studies, about the interaction of gender, cannabis use and psychotic disorders.

Clozapine use in patients with schizophrenia and a comorbid substance use disorder: A systematic review

Lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) in patients with schizophrenia is nearly 50%. Nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis are the substances most frequently used, with a high percentage of poly-substance users. There are few available data about pharmacological approaches in this population. Amongst antipsychotics, clozapine shows positive evidence in the literature. The aim of the present article is to provide systematic review on the efficacy of clozapine in SUD improvement in schizophrenic patients. PRISMA recommendations were followed (PROSPERO id: CRD42017059299). Five studies for nicotine use and nine studies for SUD (other than nicotine) were analyzed. Regarding nicotine use, results from randomized controlled trials (RCT) have found a decrease in nicotine use after 12 weeks of 200-600mg/day clozapine, as compared with lower doses. In SUD improvement (other than nicotine), RCT have shown superiority of clozapine when compared with risperidone, in short-term studies (from 4 to 12 weeks) performed in cannabis users. In long-term studies (1 year), clozapine was equal to ziprasidone in reducing cannabis use and equal to treatment as usual in reducing alcohol use. We conclude that positive results on nicotine use are scarce and derived from studies with a low degree of evidence. Evidence of clozapine on SUD (other than nicotine) is stronger, especially when clozapine is compared with first generation antipsychotics in poly-substance users. When compared with second generation antipsychotics, clozapine was superior to risperidone but equal to olanzapine or ziprasidone in poly-substance and cannabis users.

Rescuing Israeli travellers: effects of substance abuse, mental health, geographic region of rescue, gender and age of rescuees

BACKGROUND

Research conducted on young Israeli travellers has pointed to high substance usage rates. For some drug-using backpackers, actual extraction and rescue from their trip abroad is necessary. This study represents a first attempt to explore the influence of geographic region in which rescue occurs, cause for rescue and gender and age differences among Israeli rescuees.

METHODS

Sub-analysis of all logs of individual rescuees during a 5-year period from 2011 to 2016 ( N  = 86) included 66 men and 20 women, with an average age of 27.83 (SD = 7.86).

RESULTS

The findings demonstrate that Israelis are most frequently rescued from South and Southeast Asia (57%) followed by Europe (22%), South America (17%), North America (2.3%) and Africa (1.2%). India was the country with the highest rate of rescue incidents ( N  = 36) followed by Thailand ( N  = 8) and the Netherlands ( N  = 5). The most common cause for rescue was substance abuse (87%). However, significant regional differences were found based on the variable of age ( F  = 3.21, df = 3,50, P  < 0.05). The youngest rescuees were evacuated from South America ( M  = 24.20 years, SD  =   3.8), while the oldest were from Europe ( M  = 32.86 years, SD  =   10.9). The most frequent mental diagnosis for rescuees was acute psychosis due to substance use disorder (81%) and bipolar disorder, manic subtype due to substance abuse (7%). Significant gender differences were found among rescuees diagnosed with bipolar disorder, manic type: 25% were female, while men only accounted for 1.5% ( χ 2 = 61.70, df = 24, P  < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Region, age and gender of young travellers should be taken into consideration when thinking about induced acute psychosis caused by substance use. Policymakers need to consider prevention and harm reduction interventions relevant to this risk group.

Cannabis use in male and female first episode of non-affective psychosis patients: Long-term clinical, neuropsychological and functional differences

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies show the existence of a high prevalence of cannabis use among patients with psychosis. However, the differences between men and women who debut with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) regarding cannabis use have not been largely explored. The aim of this study was to identify the specific sex factors and differences in clinical evolution associated with cannabis use.

METHOD

Sociodemographic characteristics at baseline were considered in our sample of FEP patients to find differences depending on sex and the use of cannabis. Clinical, functional and neurocognitive variables at baseline, 1-year, and 3-years follow-up were also explored.

RESULTS

A total of 549 patients, of whom 43% (N = 236) were cannabis users, 79% (N = 186) male and 21% (N = 50) female, were included in the study. There was a clear relationship between being male and being a user of cannabis (OR = 5.6). Cannabis users were younger at illness onset. Longitudinal analysis showed that women significantly improved in all three dimensions of psychotic symptoms, both in the subgroup of cannabis users and in the non-users subgroup. Conversely, subgroups of men did not show improvement in the negative dimension. In cognitive function, only men presented a significant time by group interaction in processing speed, showing a greater improvement in the subgroup of cannabis users.

CONCLUSION

Despite knowing that there is a relationship between cannabis use and psychosis, due to the high prevalence of cannabis use among male FEP patients, the results showed that there were very few differences in clinical and neurocognitive outcomes between men and women who used cannabis at the start of treatment compared to those who did not.