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EPA-1645 – The Impact of Cannabis Use on Clinical Presentation in First-episode Psychosis: Adolescent- Versus Adult-onset Psychosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

R. Patel
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
M.D.G. Dominguez
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
H.L. Fisher
Affiliation:
MRC Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
S. Johnson
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
M. Hodes
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

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Introduction

Cannabis use has demonstrated an association with earlier onset of psychosis. Investigation of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in association with cannabis use in adults with first-episode psychosis (FEP) has resulted in inconsistent findings. The clinical profile of cannabis users amongst adolescents with FEP remain widely understudied.

Aims

To investigate the frequency of cannabis use, and its association with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in adolescent-versus adult-onset FEP.

Methods

Naturalistic cross-sectional study of 1363 FEP cases aged 14-35 (136 with adolescent-onset psychosis) referred to Early Intervention Services for psychosis in London (UK) (2003-2009). Sociodemographic and clinical data (age of psychosis onset, symptom domains, substance misuse, insight, violence, global functioning, and duration of untreated psychosis [DUP]) were collected at entry to EIS.

Results

Cannabis users were more likely to be male (78.2%), White (43.0%) and unemployed (72.0%). No significant difference was found in cannabis abuse/dependence frequencies between adolescents (28.4%) and adults (24.7%). Cannabis abuse/dependence was associated with an earlier onset of psychosis by 2 years (p<0.001), greater manic and positive symptoms (p<0.001), increased violence (p=0.011), and poorer functioning (p=0.013) and insight (p=0.003). For adolescents, cannabis abuse/dependence was associated with greater positive symptoms, poorer functioning and longer DUP.

Conclusions

Cannabis use shapes the clinical presentation of FEP individuals. Similar frequencies of cannabis use between age groups suggest that substance misuse services should be provided to all, aiming to reducing consumption. Greater vigilance amongst clinicians would enable earlier detection of psychosis in substance misusing adolescents, to reduce DUP and minimise associated poor outcomes.

Type
E01 - e-Poster Oral Session 01: Schizophrenia
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2014
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