title: Correlates of transient versus persistent psychotic symptoms among dependent methamphetamine users.
abstract: This study examined correlates of transient versus persistent psychotic symptoms among people dependent on methamphetamine. A longitudinal prospective cohort study of dependent methamphetamine users who did not meet DSM-IV criteria for lifetime schizophrenia or mania. Four non-contiguous one-month observation periods were used to identify participants who had a) no psychotic symptoms, (n=110); (b) psychotic symptoms only when using methamphetamine (transient psychotic symptoms, n=85); and, (c) psychotic symptoms both when using methamphetamine and when abstaining from methamphetamine (persistent psychotic symptoms, n=37). Psychotic symptoms were defined as a score of 4 or greater on any of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale items of suspiciousness, hallucinations or unusual thought content. Relative no psychotic symptoms, both transient and persistent psychotic symptoms were associated with childhood conduct disorder and comorbid anxiety disorders. Earlier onset methamphetamine use and being male were more specifically related to transient psychotic symptoms, while a family history of a primary psychotic disorder and comorbid major depression were specifically related to persistent psychotic symptoms. We conclude that there are overlapping but also distinct clinical correlates of transient versus persistent psychotic symptoms, suggesting potentially heterogeneous etiological pathways underpinning the psychotic phenomena seen amongst people who use methamphetamine.
authors.affiliation: National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: rebecca.mcketin@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKetin
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawe
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Voce
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Liana S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.affiliation: Turning Point, Eastern Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Dan I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Lubman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Amphetamine; Amphetamine-related disorders; Central nervous system stimulants; Hallucinations; Paranoia; Psychotic disorders; Street drugs