First episode psychosis with and without the use of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids: Psychopathology, global functioning and suicidal ideation and antipsychotic effectiveness.
Ricci Valerio, C. França, Di Carlo Francesco, Di Muzio Ilenia, Ciavoni Laura, Santangelo Monica, Discepoli Gabriele, Pettorruso Mauro, Martinotti Giovanni, M. Giuseppe
Psychiatry Research January 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115053 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychoses linked to natural cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids present distinct symptom profiles and outcomes compared to psychoses without cannabis use. In a sample of 61 first-episode psychosis patients, those using natural cannabis, and especially synthetic cannabinoids, had more severe positive symptoms, while non-users had more negative symptoms. After nine months, non-users recovered better in global functioning than synthetic cannabinoid users. Dissociative symptoms were greater among substance users, and suicidal ideation was highest in synthetic cannabinoid users. These differences may guide specific drug treatments.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 61 |
| Population | Patients with first episode psychosis |
| Duration | 9-month follow-up |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | Psychoses associated with natural cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids differ from non-substance-associated psychoses in symptom severity, recovery, dissociative symptoms, and suicidal ideation. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural Cannabis (NC) and Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs) use can increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders and exacerbate their course. AIMS To examine the differences between psychoses not associated with cannabis use and those associated with NC and SCs use, evaluating psychotic symptoms, global functioning, dissociative symptoms and suicidal ideation. METHODS The sample of 61 patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) was divided into 3 groups: non-Cannabis users (non-users, N = 20); NC users (THC-users, N = 21); SCs users (SPICE-users, N = 20). Each group was assessed at FEP and after 3 and 9 months through specific psychopathological scales. RESULTS THC-users, and even more SPICE-users, displayed much more severe positive symptoms than non-users. Negative symptoms were higher among non-users. After 9 months the non-users had recovered significantly better than SPICE-users in their global functioning. Dissociative symptoms were significantly greater in substance users. Finally, suicidal ideation was higher in SPICE-users than in both THC-users and non-users. DISCUSSION The psychoses induced by NC and SCs showed different symptomatic pictures and outcomes from each other and when compared to the psychoses not associated with the use of substances; such knowledge could be relevant in identifying a specific drug treatment.