title: Impulsivity and sensation seeking in alcohol abusing patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Some studies have found that high levels of impulsivity and sensation seeking, particularly disinhibition are associated with substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia, as in the general population. However, no study has assessed impulsivity and sensation seeking specifically in schizophrenia patients with alcohol abuse or dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared impulsivity and sensation seeking in a group of schizophrenia patients (DSM-III-R criteria) with lifetime alcohol abuse or dependence (n = 34) and in a group without lifetime substance abuse or dependence (n = 66). The patients were assessed using the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI) for DSM-III-R disorders, the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), the Barratt impulsivity scale (BIS), the Zuckerman seeking sensation scale (SSS), and the physical anhedonia scale (PAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean scores for impulsivity and sensation seeking were higher in the group with lifetime alcohol abuse or dependence than in the group without substance abuse or dependence (BIS: 63.4 ± 18.7 vs 51.3 ± 14.2 respectively, ANOVA: F = 11.12, p = 0.001; SSS: 17.6 ± 5.9 vs 13.5 ± 6.7 respectively, ANOVA: F = 7.45, p = 0.008). There was no significant difference between the two groups on PAS score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased impulsivity or sensation seeking may be a link between schizophrenia and alcohol abuse or dependence.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Addictologie, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne Paris, France.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dervaux
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Laqueille
authors.forename: Marie-Chantal
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bourdel
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Olié
authors.forename: Marie-Odile
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Krebs