title: Alcohol dependence and hospitalization in schizophrenia.
abstract: Treatment of schizophrenia is often complicated by substance abuse. We report here findings of a retrospective study evaluating readmission rates of patients meeting DSM IV criteria comorbid for schizophrenia and alcohol or drug dependence treated with depot haloperidol or fluphenazine over a 2-year period. During the study period, 14 of the 26 (54%) male veteran patients were admitted to the VAMC, Charleston; 46% of patients met criteria for alcohol, marijuana or cocaine dependence. Patients with alcohol dependence appeared to be at highest risk for hospital admission (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients with alcohol dependence had longer hospital stays (p < 0.05) than patients without alcohol dependence. Marijuana or cocaine dependence was slightly, but not statistically more common among admitted patients. Marijuana or cocaine dependence did not predict length of stay or number of admissions. Alcohol dependence may be an important factor in schizophrenic exacerbation, and may be an important target for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Gerding
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Labbate
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Measom
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Arana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C011825:fluphenazine depot; D006220:Haloperidol; D005476:Fluphenazine