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The temporal dynamics of relationships between cannabis, psychosis and depression among young adults with psychotic disorders: findings from a 10-month prospective study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2007

LOUISA DEGENHARDT ,
CHRIS TENNANT ,
STUART GILMOUR ,
DAVID SCHOFIELD ,
LOUISE NASH ,
WAYNE HALL  and
DIANA McKAY
LOUISA DEGENHARDT
Affiliation:
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
CHRIS TENNANT
Affiliation:
University of Sydney, Psychological Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
STUART GILMOUR
Affiliation:
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
DAVID SCHOFIELD
Affiliation:
University of Sydney, Psychological Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
LOUISE NASH
Affiliation:
University of Sydney, Psychological Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
WAYNE HALL
Affiliation:
School of Population Health, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
DIANA McKAY
Affiliation:
Private Practice, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
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Abstract

Background. The aim was to examine the temporal relationships over 10 months between cannabis use and symptoms of psychosis and depression in people with schizophrenia and related disorders. The design was a prospective study of 101 patients with schizophrenia and related disorders who were assessed monthly over 10 months on medication compliance, cannabis and other drug use, symptoms of depression and symptoms of psychosis.

Method. Linear regression methods to assess relationships between cannabis use and symptoms of psychosis and depression while adjusting for serial dependence, medication compliance and other demographic and clinical variables.

Results. Cannabis use predicted a small but statistically significant increase in symptoms of psychosis, but not depression, after controlling for other differences between cannabis users and non-users. Symptoms of depression and psychosis did not predict cannabis use.

Conclusion. Continued cannabis use by persons with schizophrenia predicts a small increase in psychotic symptom severity but not vice versa.

Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 37 , Issue 7 , July 2007 , pp. 927 - 934
Copyright
2007 Cambridge University Press

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