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Diagnostic conversion following admission for a first-episode substance induced psychosis: A four-year retrospective cohort study

Background: Substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) is prevalent in South Africa, yet there is a paucity of research regarding its longitudinal course, with studies finding that diagnostic conversion occurs often, mostly to schizophrenia (SCZ). Aim: We examined the rate of, and factors associated with, diagnostic conversion in first-episode SIPD to primary, non-substance-related mental disorders. Setting: Adult inpatients with a diagnosis of first-episode SIPD discharged between 2012 to 2014 from Valkenberg psychiatric hospital, Cape Town. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of first-episode patients discharged from hospital, followed-up for a four-year period. We used survival analysis and Cox-proportional hazard regression to determine factors associated with diagnostic conversion to a primary mental disorder. Results: Of the sample of 225 patients, the majority were young, male and polysubstance users. Diagnostic conversion occurred in 26.2%, the majority within 3 years - 71.2% to SCZ-spectrum disorders and 28.8% to major affective disorders. In the adjusted analysis, diagnostic conversion remained significantly associated with male sex (HRadj=1.85, 95% CI=1.00– 3.42, p=0.045) and greater length of index admission (HRadj=1.02, 95% CI=1.01 – 1.04, p=0.006). Compared to nonconverters, significant associations with conversion to SCZ-spectrum disorders were male sex and length of index admission. Conversions to both SCZ-spectrum and major affective disorders were significantly associated with number of re-admissions during follow-up. Conclusion: Diagnostic conversion occurred in a substantial proportion of SIPD cases, often to SCZ. This warrants enhanced follow-up of high-risk cases, with attention to indicators such as sex and length of index hospitalisation.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uct/oai:localhost:11427/35708
Date10 February 2022
Creatorsde Vaal, Sybrand Johannes
ContributorsTemmingh, Hendrik
PublisherFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeMaster Thesis, Masters, MMed
Formatapplication/pdf

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