Differences in substance use in first treatment schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders but no relationship between nicotine use and age at illness onset
Poster C79, Saturday, October 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Trine Vik Lagerberg1, Petter Andreas Ringen1,2, Levi Røstad Kvitland1, Sofie Ragnhild Aminoff1,3, Torill Ueland1,4, Carmen Elisabeth Simonsen1, Akiah Ottesen Berg1, Kristin Lie Romm1,2, Ole Andreas Andreassen1, Ingrid Melle1; 1NORMENT, K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 2Division of mental health and addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 3Department of Specialized Inpatient Treatment, Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, 4Insitute of Psychology, University of Oslo
Purpose: Compare substance use in schizophrenia spectrum (SCZ) and bipolar (BD) disorders at first treatment. Investigate whether nicotine use, like cannabis use, is associated with age at illness onset (AAO). Material and methods: Recent use of substances and AAO was investigated in 488 patients with SCZ (schizophrenia, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorder, n=327) and BD (bipolar I, II and NOS disorder, n=161) at first treatment. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted, controlling for gender and age when appropriate. Results: No significant difference in prevalence of nicotine use was found between SCZ and BD. Among smokers, number of cigarettes per day was significantly higher in SCZ compared to BD (p=0.005). Alcohol use was significantly more prevalent (p<0.001) in BD compared to SCZ, but among users, there was no significant difference between groups in number of units consumed. Amphetamine use was significantly more prevalent in SCZ compared to BD (p=0.012). There were no significant differences in prevalence of cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine or heroin use between the groups. Significant associations were found between cannabis use and AAO in both groups, but not between nicotine use and AAO. Conclusion: The main differences in substance use between SCZ and BD were higher prevalence of alcohol use in BD and of amphetamine use in SCZ, and higher cigarette consumption in SCZ smokers. Differences in substance use between SCZ and BD may be relevant for disease mechanisms, and are of importance for intervention strategies. Nicotine use does not appear to elicit illness at an earlier age.
Topic Area: Substance Use