CLINICAL VIEW ON SUBSTANCE-INDUCED PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS IN A MEDICALLY SUPERVISED INJECTING ROOM: A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE.

Medically supervised injecting rooms (MSIRs) are extremely important facilities for people who inject drugs (PWID) as MSIRs provide a safe place for the consumption of street-sourced drugs, impacting overdose rates and viral transmitted infections.

Una visión clínica de los síntomas psicóticos inducidos por sustancias en una sala de venopunción supervisada: Una década de experiencia / A clinical view of substance-induced psychotic symptoms in a supervised venipuncture room: A decade of experience

Introducción. Las salas de venopunción supervisadas (MSIR) son centros extremadamente importantes para las personas que usan drogas intravenosas (PWID), ya que las MSIR brindan un lugar sanitariamente seguro para el consumo de sustancias psicoativas ilícitas, teniendo un impacto importante en las tasas de sobredosis y las infecciones virales transmitidas por vía sanguínea. Métodos. Descripción de los síntomas psicóticos inducidos observados en una MSIR y su relación con la sustancia utilizada. El análisis se realizó con datos recopilados entre el 01/01/2009 y el 31/08/2021. Resultados. Se registraron 3731 autoinyecciones (68,7% heroína, 29,1% cocaína, 2,1% speedball y 0,2% otra sustancia) durante el período estudiado. Los síntomas psicóticos solo se observaron en el 7,1% del total de autoinyecciones. Sin embargo, se detectaron grandes diferencias entre las sustancias: el 23,2% de los consumos de cocaína estuvieron relacionados con síntomas psicóticos, el 20,8% de las inyecciones de speedball presentaron síntomas psicóticos y solo el 0,3% de las venopunciones de heroína se relacionaron con síntomas psicóticos (X2 =604.99; p<0.001). Además, algunas variables señalan que los síntomas psicóticos inducidos por sustancias pueden estar asociados con una mayor gravedad clínica. Conclusiones. Los sujetos con consumo de cocaína o speedball que acuden a MSIR pueden presentar síntomas psicóticos inducidos por sustancias, siendo esto un criterio de mayor gravedad clínica. Por lo tanto, los protocolos de las MSIR deben analizarse y adaptarse en función de la sustancia utilizada y la inducción de síntomas psicóticos. Además, se necesita más investigación en esta área. (AU)

Introduction. Medically supervised injecting rooms (MSIRs) are extremely important facilities for people who inject drugs (PWID) as MSIRs provide a safe place for the consumption of street-sourced drugs, impacting overdose rates and viral transmitted infections. Methods. The current paper describes more than 10 years of our MSIR experience regarding psychotic symptoms and their relationship with the substance used. The analysis was performed using data collected between 01/01/2009 and 08/31/2021. Results. 3731 self-injections (68.7% heroin, 29.1% cocaine, 2.1% speedball, and 0.2% other substance) were recorded during the studied period. Psychotic symptoms were only observed in 7.1% of the total self-injections. However, large differences were detected among substances: 23.2% of cocaine consumptions were related to psychotic symptoms, 20.8% of speedball injections presented psychotic symptoms, and only 0.3% of heroin consumptions had psychotic symptoms (X2=604.99; p<0.001). Also, some other variables highlight that psychotic symptoms induced by substances may be associated with higher clinical severity. Conclusions. subjects with cocaine or speedballuse who attend MSIRs may present substance-induced psychotic symptoms, having higher clinical severity. Thus, MSIRs’ protocols should be analyzed and adapted in terms of the substance used and the induction of psychotic symptoms. Moreover, further research is necessary on this critical issue. (AU)

Confirmatory factor analysis of 20-item toronto alexithymia scale in spanish patients with substance use disorder.

Alexithymia is highly prevalent in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and has been implied in SUD pathogenesis and treatment outcomes. However, the psychometric properties of the most-used instrument for evaluating alexithymia (the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS-20) have been scarcely studied in relation to SUD patients.

A Multicenter Study on the Impact of Gender, Age, and Dual Diagnosis on Substance Consumption and Mental Health Status in Outpatients Treated for Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19 Lockdown.

Objective COVID-19 and lockdown measures impacted mental health globally and had a particular impact on patients with substance use disorders (SUD). However, the impact of gender, age, and dual diagnosis on consumption patterns and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown among patients with SUD has not been analyzed in depth. Therefore, this study aimed to examine substance use and mental health status during COVID-19 lockdown considering gender, age, and previous dual diagnosis in patients with SUD treated in different outpatient addiction clinics in Catalonia. Methods: Thirteen clinics participated and 588 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 70.7% were men and 29.3% were women. The mean age was 48 ± 11.3 years, and 63.2% had dual diagnoses. Results: Men reported significantly more frequent alcohol and cocaine consumption during lockdown, while women experienced more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Younger patients more frequently reported consuming cocaine and cannabis, breaking the lockdown rule, worsened family relationships, and reduced incomes. Older patients more frequently reported maintaining abstinence. Previous dual diagnosis was more often associated with benzodiazepine use disorder, less active working during lockdown, and more anxiety and depressive symptoms than not having previous dual diagnosis. Conclusions: Both new psychiatric symptoms and general worsening of existing symptoms were frequent during the lockdown. Differences based on the gender, age, and dual diagnosis of outpatients treated for substance use disorders should be considered in the planning of protection measures such as home confinement.

Insomnia Disorder in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Patients: Clinical, Comorbidity, and Treatment Correlates.

Introduction: Several investigations have been performed on insomnia symptoms in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the relationship between insomnia disorder and adult ADHD has been neglected in research. The main objective of the current study is to analyze the differences between adult ADHD patients with and without insomnia disorder, in terms of ADHD clinical severity, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, psychopharmacological treatment, and quality of life. Material and Methods: Two hundred and fifty-two adult patients with ADHD (mean age 37.60 ± 13.22 years; ADHD presentations-combined: 56.7%, inattentive: 39.7%, hyperactive/impulsive: 3.6%) were evaluated with an exhaustive clinical and psychological evaluation protocol including semistructured interviews (for comorbidities and ADHD assessment) and symptom rating scales for ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD and insomnia disorder was made according to DSM-5 criteria. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were administered. Results: Insomnia disorder was found in 44.4% of adult ADHD patients and was more common in combined presentation (64.3%) and in patients with more ADHD severity. Comorbidities (both medical and psychiatric), especially mood disorders (42%), anxiety disorder (26.8%), personality disorder (39.3%), and any substance use disorder (11.6%), were associated with a higher insomnia disorder prevalence. ADHD stimulant treatment was related to lower insomnia disorder compared to patients without medication, as well as ADHD stable treatment. Additionally, worse health-related quality of life was associated with insomnia disorder. Conclusion: Insomnia disorder is highly prevalent in adult ADHD and is related to higher ADHD severity and more psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Some stimulants and stable pharmacological ADHD treatment are associated with better outcomes of insomnia disorder.

Alexithymia in Patients With Substance Use Disorders and Its Relationship With Psychiatric Comorbidities and Health-Related Quality of Life.

Background: Alexithymia frequently correlates with several psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorder (SUD). However, most studies reporting the associations between alexithymia and psychiatric disorders have been performed in populations without SUD. This research, therefore, evaluates alexithymia in Spanish patients with SUD and the relationship among alexithymia, psychiatric comorbidities, psychological symptoms/traits, SUD variables, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 126 Spanish outpatients with SUD (75.4% males; mean age 43.72 ± 14.61 years), correlating their alexithymia levels (using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20 [TAS-20]) to their psychiatric comorbidities, psychological symptoms/traits, SUD variables, and HRQoL. Results: Alexithymia was significantly higher in patients who had cannabis use disorder. Higher alexithymia scores were also related to higher levels of depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and lower HRQoL. After multivariate analysis, trait anxiety, impulsivity, and the physical component summary of the HRQoL were found to be independently related to alexithymia. Conclusions: SUD patients with higher alexithymia levels have more frequently psychiatric comorbidities, present specific psychological features, and have worse HRQoL. Hence, it is important to evaluate these factors and offer more accurate psychotherapeutic approaches for this patient population.

Quinolone-induced psychosis: an updated review.

Quinolones are an antibiotic group widely used due to their antimicrobial action and security profile, however, it has been described neuropsychiatric adverse effects, being induced-psychotic episodes one of the most clinically relevant. Nevertheless, this secondary effect has been scarcely studied. A literature search using PRISMA guidelines was performed between 01/01/1962 and 01/31/2019 on PubMed and ScienceDirect, including manuscripts which described substance-induced psychotic disorder according to DSM-5 and in which the symptomatology was not attributable to an acute confusional state (delirium) or to other induced psychiatric disorders. 459 articles were found, but only 27 manuscripts fulfilled inclusion criteria (n=27 patients, median age of 36.15±16.96 years). Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and ofloxacin were the main antibiotics implicated. Quinolone- induced psychosis is a clinical relevant issue due to the high prescription of these antibiotics and the severity of this clinical syndrome. In general, this syndrome can remit in a few days with the withdrawal of the quinolone and performing symptomatic support if it is necessary. Finally, it is important to perform further research on this issue. Keywords: Quinolones, Psychosis, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacinn, Psychotic Induced.

Psicosis inducidas por quinolonas: una revisión actualizada / Quinolone-induced psychosis: an updated review

Las quinolonas son un grupo de antibióticos amplia-mente usado por su perfil antibacteriano y de seguridad. Sin embargo, se han descrito algunos efectos secundarios neuropsiquiátricos, entre ellos episodios psicóticos asociados a su uso. Este efecto adverso ha sido poco estudiado, a pesar de su relevancia clínica. Por ello, realizamos una revisión de la literatura usando la guía PRISMA, la búsqueda se realizó en PubMed y ScienceDirect incluyendo manuscritos entre el 01/01/1962 hasta el 31/01/2019 donde se describieran trastorno psicótico inducido por medicamentos/sustancias según el DSM-5, y que además la sintomatología psicótica fuese principalmente atribuible a una quinolona, que los pacientes no tuvieran antecedentes de trastorno psiquiátrico primario que curse con psicosis, y que la sintomatología predominante no fuese atribuible a un estado confusional agudo (delirium) ni a otros trastornos psiquiátricos inducidos. Se detectaron 459 artículos de los que 27 publicaciones cumplían los criterios de inclusión y exclusión (n = 27 pacientes, edad media 36,15±16,96). Las tres quinolonas más frecuentemente relacionadas con episodios psicóticos fueron: ciprofloxacino, levofloxacino y ofloxacino. Las vías de administración más comunes eran la oral e intravenosa. Se puede concluir que clínicamente es importante tener en cuenta este efecto adverso dada la alta frecuencia de prescripción de estos fármacos y la gravedad que implica la presencia de síntomas psicóticos. En general, este cuadro puede remitir rápidamente en pocos días con el retiro de la quinolona y realizando un soporte sintomático si es necesario. Finalmente, es importante realizar más investigaciones en esta área

Quinolones are an antibiotic group widely used due to their antimicrobial action and security profile, however, it has been described neuropsychiatric adverse effects, being induced-psychotic episodes one of the most clinically relevant. Nevertheless, this secondary effect has been scarcely studied. A literature search using PRISMA guidelines was performed between 01/01/1962 and 01/31/2019 on PubMed and ScienceDirect, including manuscripts which described substance-induced psychotic disorder according to DSM-5 and in which the symptomatology was not attributable to an acute confusional state (delirium) or to other induced psychiatric disorders. 459 articles were found, but only 27 manuscripts fulfilled inclusion criteria (n = 27 patients, median age of 36.15±16.96 years). Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and ofloxacin were the main antibiotics implicated. Quinolone-induced psychosis is a clinical relevant issue due to the high prescription of these antibiotics and the severity of this clinical syndrome. In general, this syndrome can remit in a few days with the withdrawal of the quinolone and per-forming symptomatic support if it is necessary. Finally, it is important to perform further research on this issue

Mood Disorders and Severity of Addiction in Alcohol-Dependent Patients Could Be Mediated by Sex Differences.

Background: Alcohol dependence is highly prevalent in the general population; some differences in alcohol use and dependence between women and men have been described, including outcomes and ranging from biological to social variables. This study aims to compare the severity of alcohol dependence with clinical and psychopathological characteristics between sexes. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in alcohol-dependent outpatients; the recruitment period was 7 years. The assessment of these patients was carried out by obtaining sociodemographic characteristics and using the Semi-structured Clinical Interview for Axis I and II (SCID-I and SCID-II), European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales. Variables were compared and analyzed. Results: The sample was composed of 178 patients (74.2% males and 25.8% females) with a mean age of 46.52 ± 9.86. No sociodemographic differences were found between men and women. Females had a higher rate of suicide attempts and depression symptoms at the treatment onset. When results of EuropASI were compared, females had worse psychological and employment results than males. According to consumption variables, males had an earlier onset of alcohol use, had more regular alcohol use, and develop alcohol dependence earlier than females. Conclusions: According to results, there are sex-dependent differences (severity and other variables such as mood or suicide) in alcohol dependence. Thus, this may implicate the need of future specific research and treatment programs based on the specific necessities of each sex.

Cocaine relapse and health-related quality of life: a 23 weeks study.

INTRODUCTION: Cocaine dependence is a disorder where relapses are frequently presented and many factors are involved. Furthermore, cocaine dependence is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. This study aims to explore perceived HRQoL as an indicator of drug relapse in cocaine-dependent patients (CDP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out in CDP during 23 weeks. A consecutive sampling method was applied, 39 participants composed the initial sample (mean age 35.6 years), only 15 participants completed outpatient follow-up period. CDP were assessed with psychiatric and HRQoL instruments (SCID-I, SCID-II, BDI, STAI scale and SF-36) in different points of the study. The patients were followed up, and cocaine relapses were assessed. The sample was divided according with the relapse (early vs. late relapse). Data were compared and analyzed in order to evaluate whether HRQoL measure could be related to cocaine relapse. RESULTS: There are differences in perceived HRQoL measures between CDP with/without early relapse, especially in Mental health and Social functioning dimensions (p<0.05). Furthermore, Late/relapse-patients have higher improvement of HRQoL than patients with early relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived HRQoL might predict early relapse and could be a possible predictor tool of potential future relapses. More research in this field is needed.

Recaída en el uso de cocaína y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud: un estudio de 23 semanas de seguimiento / Cocaine relapse and health-related quality of life: a 23 weeks study

Introducción. Las recaídas son frecuentes en la dependencia a cocaína, múltiples factores están involucrados en ellas. Además, la dependencia a cocaína se relaciona con un peor pronóstico en relación a la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Este estudio explora la CVRS percibida como un indicador de recaída en pacientes con dependencia a cocaína. Metodología. Se llevó a cabo un estudio longitudinal en pacientes con dependencia a cocaína durante 23 semanas. En total 39 pacientes participaron (edad media 35,6 años), aunque solamente 15 completaron el periodo de seguimiento. Se utilizaron varias escalas e instrumentos psicométricos (SCID-I, SCID-II, BDI, STAI y la SF-36) en diferentes puntos del estudio. Los pacientes fueron seguidos y se evaluaron las recaídas. La muestra fue dividida de acuerdo con el momento de recaída (temprano vs. tardía). La información fue comparada y analizada para poder evaluar si la CVRS se podía relacionar con la recaída de cocaína. Resultados. Hubo diferencias en la CVRS percibida entre los pacientes con y sin recaída temprana, especialmente en las dimensiones de Salud Mental y Funcionamiento Social (p<0,05). Además, los pacientes con recaídas tardías presentaban una mejoría de la CVRS percibida si se comparaba con los que recaían de forma temprana. Conclusiones. La CVRS percibida podría predecir parcialmente las recaídas tempranas y su medición podría ser una herramienta para evaluar posibles recaídas en el futuro. Sin embargo, es necesaria más investigación en esta área

Introduction. Cocaine dependence is a disorder where relapses are frequently presented and many factors are involved. Furthermore, cocaine dependence is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. This study aims to explore perceived HRQoL as an indicator of drug relapse in cocaine-dependent patients (CDP). Subjects and Methods. A longitudinal study was carried out in CDP during 23 weeks. A consecutive sampling method was applied, 39 participants composed the initial sample (mean age 35.6 years), only 15 participants completed outpatient follow-up period. CDP were assessed with psychiatric and HRQoL instruments (SCID-I, SCID-II, BDI, STAI scale and SF-36) in different points of the study. The patients were followed up, and cocaine relapses were assessed. The sample was divided according with the relapse (early vs. late relapse). Data were compared and analyzed in order to evaluate whether HRQoL measure could be related to cocaine relapse. Results. There are differences in perceived HRQoL measures between CDP with/without early relapse, especially in Mental health and Social functioning dimensions (p<0.05). Furthermore, Late/relapse-patients have higher improvement of HRQoL than patients with early relapse. Conclusions. Perceived HRQoL might predict early relapse and could be a possible predictor tool of potential future relapses. More research in this field is needed