Evolutionary Aspects of Psychotic Disorders Induced by Cannabis

Abstract

Introduction

Cannabis is increasingly used by young people. Its several noxious effects on mental health have become a matter of preoccupation. Although cannabis use may be involved in the etiology of acute psychosis, there has been considerable debate about the association observed with chronic psychosis.

Aims

(1) To describe the profile of patients with cannabis use disorders (CUD); (2) to determine the evolutionary aspects.

Methods

We proceed with a retrospective and descriptive study conducted among 16 male patients with CUD and hospitalised for the first time in the psychiatric department at the University Hospital Hedi Chaker during the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014.

Results

An overwhelming majority of the subjects were single and unemployed. One-third of the users had a stay abroad, the half was incarcerated at least once and one patient was implicated in illegal drugs trade. CUD were associated with specific personality disorders: borderline (18.8%) and antisocial (6.3%) personality. Into at least the 2 years of follow-up, different evolutionary aspects were distinguished. Many of the patients were lost to follow (18.8%). A total restitution of symptoms or a recurrence of the same disorders were observed in 25% of cases. About 56.3% of subjects had a change in diagnosis to either schizophrenia (43.3%) or affective disorder (12.5%).

Conclusion

This study showed that cannabis use can be a cause of the emergence of chronic psychosis. This emphasizes the importance of early screening of the vulnerability to psychotic disorder and identify more effective strategies to improve intervention.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.