The long-term treatment outcomes of depression and anxiety comorbid with substance abuse

Joint hypermobility syndrome is a risk factor trait for anxiety disorders: a 15-year follow-up cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess whether joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a risk factor for developing anxiety disorders using a 15-year prospective cohort study.

METHOD

The initial cohort recruited 158 subjects aged 16 to 20 years from the general population in a Spanish rural town. The cohort was studied at baseline and at a 15-year follow-up. Joint hypermobility syndrome was assessed using Beighton's criteria, and the psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Disorders. Subjects with anxiety disorders at baseline were excluded from the follow-up.

RESULTS

Joint hypermobility syndrome at baseline was found in 29 of 158 subjects (21.1%). Cumulative incidence of panic/agoraphobia disorder at follow-up, as main diagnosis, was significantly higher for the JHS group (41.4%) than for the control group (1.9%), with a relative risk of 22.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6-108.7, P<.0001] (Number Needed to Treat [NNT] 3, 95% CI 2.9-2.3). Incidence of social phobia and simple phobia was also significantly higher for the JHS group [relative risk (RR)=6.52, 95% CI 1.7-24.2, P<.001 and RR=3.31, 95% CI 1.1-9.6, P=.02, respectively]. Moreover, anxiolytic drug use was nearly fourfold higher among JHS compared to non-JHS subjects.

CONCLUSION

Joint hypermobility syndrome was associated with higher risk of developing anxiety disorders. If replicated, these findings may give enhanced value to JHS assessment in clinical and general population studies.

Do rats really express neophobia towards novel objects? Experimental evidence from exposure to novelty and to an object recognition task in an open space and an enclosed space

Three set of experiments were performed in an enclosed space (open-field) and in an open space (elevated platform). The surface of the open-field and the elevated platform were divided in nine equal squares. Rats were exposed (without previous habituation) in a unique session (experiment 1) or three consecutive sessions (experiment 2) either to an open-field (enclosed space) or to an elevated platform (open space) with and without an object on the centre of the field. In experiment 3, rats were exposed (without previous habituation) either to an enclosed or an open space on five consecutive sessions, one session a day. They were tested in an object recognition test in sessions 1, 3 and 5. In sessions 2 and 4, no objects were present. In experiment 1, we recorded the latency, frequency and duration of entries into different areas of the field. In experiment 3, we recorded the latency, frequency and duration of contacts with objects in addition to entries into different areas of the field. The first experiment demonstrates that rats exposed for the first time to an enclosed or an open space do not express neophobia toward novel objects in the absence of walls that surround an open-field. They crossed frequently into and spent more time in areas occupied with an object than in unoccupied areas. After two sessions of habituation to an empty open space or an empty enclosed space, the latency of first approach to a novel object is reduced while the frequency and duration of approaches are increased. The third experiment on object recognition confirmed that rats do not avoid novel objects; they made frequent visit and spent more time in the corner of the field occupied with an object than in empty corners. Recording of crossings provided detailed information about the patterns of exploratory behavior of rats but failed to reveal discrimination between novel and familiar objects which was evident in both open and enclosed space with recording of contacts with objects on the fifth exposure.

Baseline depressive symptoms predict poor substance use outcome following adolescent residential treatment

OBJECTIVE

To characterize baseline depressive symptoms among substance-abusing adolescents and determine their association with post residential treatment substance use outcomes.

METHOD

In total, 153 adolescents (mean age 6.6 years, +/- 0.11) entering residential treatment were assessed at intake and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Global Appraisal of Individual Needs were administered to assess depression, other risk factors, and substance use. A regression model was developed with 10 risk factors including BDI scores of >/=11 versus <11 to predict the outcome measure mean percentage of days in the past 90 days with any (nonnicotine) substance use.

RESULTS

At intake, 55% had BDI scores of >/=11. A baseline BDI score of >/=11 was significantly associated with greater mean percentage of days of substance use (27.5 +/- 3.8% versus 15.4 +/- 4.0% days, p <.01) across 1-year follow-up. Two other factors were significant: length of drug career >2 years and having an opioid use disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this prospective study, although preliminary, suggest the association of depressive symptoms with poorer substance outcomes and the utility of the BDI as a prognostic tool. They highlight the need for interventions targeting co-occurring depressive symptoms that may improve adolescent substance treatment outcomes.

Psychiatric disorders and their correlates among young adult MDMA users in Ohio

This study describes the lifetime prevalence, correlates, and age of onset of selected psychiatric disorders among a community sample of MDMA users (n = 402), aged 18 to 30, in Ohio. Participants responded to interviewer-administered questionnaires, including sections of the computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV. Fifty-five percent of the sample had at least one lifetime disorder, with major depression (35.3%) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) (25.4%) the most common. Proportionately more women were diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while proportionately more men were diagnosed with ASPD. Proportionately more non-White participants had attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Higher levels of education were associated with proportionately less PTSD, ASPD, and AD/HD. Higher frequencies of MDMA use were associated with proportionately more ASPD and AD/HD. Comparing the age of first MDMA use with the age of onset for selected psychiatric disorders revealed that for most participants disorders preceded use. Multivariate analysis revealed participants with more than a high school education were less likely to have experienced a lifetime disorder, while those who had used MDMA more than 50 times were more likely. Variations in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders have practical implications for drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.

Treatment Outcomes for Substance Abuse among Adolescents with Learning Disorders

This paper assesses whether chemically dependent adolescents with comorbid learning disorders (LDs) derived less effective treatment results when compared to chemically dependent adolescents without LD and examines the moderating effects of prior treatments, treatment length, and treatment completion. Two hundred one adolescents were recruited between 1992 and 1993 from Massachusetts residential treatment centers and subsequently followed up 6 months after enrollment. Compared to chemically dependent teenagers without LD, those with LD were twice as likely to re-use substances at least once by follow-up. LD teenagers were more likely to attend Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous if they had prior admissions to treatment programs and longer treatment length. LD teenagers who completed treatment also experienced a greater decrease in current depression compared to LD teenagers not completing the treatment. This study is the first to consider outcomes of substance abuse treatment for adolescents with LD and contributes to the growing literature on comorbidity and substance abuse treatment.

Prevalence and correlates of current depressive symptomatology among a community sample of MDMA users in Ohio

Research suggests that MDMA can cause serotonin depletion as well as serotonergic neurodegradation that may result in depression among users of the drug. Several small-scale studies have used various editions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to quantify depressive symptomatology among MDMA users. This study represents the largest application of the BDI to date to explore symptoms of current depression among a community sample of young adult MDMA users (n = 402). Internal consistency testing of the BDI-II with this sample revealed Cronbach's alpha = .92. Results show a mean BDI-II score of 9.8, suggesting low levels of depressive symptomatology among study participants. Two-thirds of the sample had scores that placed them in the non-depressed/minimal depression category, while 4.7% had scores indicative of severe depression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that men were significantly less likely than women and people who used opioids were significantly more likely than non-users to have higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Higher lifetime occasions of MDMA use were marginally related to symptoms of serious depression.

Relationship of depressive symptoms and mental health functioning to repeat detoxification

To better understand residential detoxification use, we assessed the roles of depressive symptoms (DS) and mental health functioning (MHF) on repeat detoxification. A prospective cohort of residential detoxification patients (N=400) without primary medical care was followed over 2 years at 6-month intervals. Subsequent detoxification admissions were examined using a statewide administrative database and DS (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and MHF (SF-36 mental component summary subscale) measurements at follow-up. Incidence rate ratios of return to detoxification were estimated using multivariable longitudinal Poisson regression. In separate analyses, greater DS and worse MHF predicted higher detoxification use rates. Clinically significant worsening (10 points) of DS and MHF on objective scales predicted a 20% increased rate of detoxification readmission. Male sex, heroin as a problem substance, and race/ethnicity each predicted detoxification use. These data suggest that identifying individuals with DS or worse MHF after detoxification may provide opportunities for clinical intervention to reduce recurrent residential detoxification.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorder among a community sample of crack cocaine users: an exploratory study with practical implications

The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV was used to assess the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorder among not-in-treatment crack cocaine users (N = 313). The most common dependencies involved cocaine (59.7%), alcohol (37.7%), and cannabis (12.1%). The most common nondependency disorders were antisocial personality disorder (ASPD; 24%), depression (17.8%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 11.8%). Comorbidity was present in 36.4% of the sample. Proportionately more white than black users were dependent on cocaine, alcohol, amphetamine, and sedative-hypnotics. More white than black users experienced ASPD, depression, PTSD, and attention deficit disorder. Proportionately fewer black users suffered comorbid disorders. Proportionately more men had ASPD, whereas more women had PTSD and phobias. Multinominal modeling revealed that black users and users with a high school education were less likely to have comorbid disorders; married users were less likely to have nondependency disorders. White crack users were more likely to have comorbidity, complicating their treatment.

Anxiety and substance use comorbidity among inpatients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between lifetime anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders among patients with schizophrenia.

METHOD

Participants were 184 inpatients with schizophrenia at the Schizophrenia Research Unit (SRU) at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between specific anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders among inpatients with schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders were prevalent among 31.5% of the sample. Panic attacks were associated with a significantly increased odds (OR=7.4 (1.2, 47.1)) of comorbid alcohol or substance use disorders (lifetime). This association was specific to panic attacks and persisted after adjusting for differences in sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are consistent with and extend previous data by providing evidence of an association between panic attacks and increased likelihood of substance use disorders among inpatients with schizophrenia. Future studies that determine the nature of this relationship, the sequence of symptom onsets, and examine whether treatment of anxiety can influence the onset or outcome associated with substance use are needed.

The relationship between anxiety and substance use disorders among individuals with severe affective disorders

We sought to determine the association between anxiety disorders and substance use disorders among patients with severe affective disorders in a community-based outpatient treatment program. Two hundred sixty participants in a supported socialization program were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between anxiety disorders and alcohol and substance use disorders among patients with severe and persistent affective disorders (i.e., major depression and bipolar disorder). Among patients with severe and persistent affective disorders, cocaine (odds ratio [OR] = 5.9 [1.4, 24.6]), stimulant (OR = 5.1 [1.2, 20.9]), sedative (OR = 5.4 [1.2, 24.7]), and opioid use disorders (OR = 13.9 [1.4, 138.7]) were significantly more common among those with, compared with those without, anxiety disorders. This association persisted after adjusting for differences in sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid psychotic disorders. Significant associations between panic attacks, social phobia, specific phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and specific substance use disorders were also evident. These findings are consistent with and extend previous results by documenting an association between anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, independent of comorbid psychotic disorders among patients in a outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation program. These data highlight the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders, a potentially undetected and therefore undertreated problem, among patients with severe affective disorders and substance use comorbidity. Future work is needed to determine the nature of this association and to determine whether treatment of one prevents onset of the other.