Substance abuse and onset of psychotic illness.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the relationship of substance abuse history to psychotic diagnosis and clinical presentation in a sample of 188 subjects with newly diagnosed psychotic illness.


METHODS
Subjects were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview and clinical rating scales. The diagnosis and demographic and clinical characteristics of subjects with a substance abuse history were compared with those of subjects without a substance abuse history. Data for males and females were considered separately in most analyses.


RESULTS
Substance abuse history was unrelated to initial diagnosis, age at onset of psychotic symptoms, ratings of best and worst levels of functioning, or severity of positive symptoms. Substance abuse was significantly associated with higher anxiety and depression scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Males without substance abuse had more negative symptoms and were less likely to have attempted suicide than males with substance abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
Substance abuse appears to have limited influence on the clinical presentation of non-substance-induced psychotic disorders.
Kovasznay
B
B
State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Bromet
E
E
Schwartz
J E
JE
Ram
R
R
Lavelle
J
J
Brandon
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs