Assessment of Substance Abuse On the Course of Somatic Pathology in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Abstract

Purpose

Assess the impact of chemical dependency for a somatic pathology in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

During one year, 440 patients admitted to the emergency multi somatic hospital were examined. Inclusion criteria were: age older than 18 years; the presence of “dual” diagnosis; the appropriate category is F2 and F1 ICD-10.

Results

Patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders, is 2.0% of all incoming patients in the multi somatic hospital. Almost half of these patients (47.7%) have a concomitant diagnosis of addiction (harmful use or dependence on the different types of substances). A somatic pathologies among patients with schizophrenia who abuse substances is represented by different disorders. Poisoning occurred most frequently (29.3%), slightly less frequent in burns (22.3%) and head injuries (20.3%). Infections were observed in 15.9% of patients, mostly were is socially significant transfusion transmitted infections and tuberculosis. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pathology of the gastrointestinal tract occurred less frequently.

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in conjunction with the substance dependencies often come to the hospital unconscious, significantly longer being treated in the hospital compared with patients with schizophrenia without concomitant substance abuse disorders (low bed/day 12.1 vs 7,2; p <0,05).

Conclusion

Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders increases the risk of somatic disorders and degrades during somatic disorders.