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Bruijnen CJWH, Dijkstra BAG, Walvoort SJW, Markus W, VanDerNagel JEL, Kessels RPC, DE Jong CAJ. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with substance use disorder. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019; 38:435-442. [PMID: 30916448 PMCID: PMC6593747 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Cognitive impairments in substance use disorder predict treatment outcome and are assumed to differ between substances. They often go undetected, thus the current study focuses on the prevalence of and differences in cognitive functioning across substances by means of a cognitive screen at the early stage of addiction treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was administered to outpatients seeking treatment for substance use disorder. Patient characteristics (age, years of regular use, polysubstance use, severity of dependence/abuse, depression, anxiety and stress) were also taken into account. RESULTS A total of 656 patients were included (n = 391 used alcohol, n = 123 used cannabis, n = 100 used stimulants and n = 26 used opioids). The prevalence of cognitive impairments was 31%. Patients using alcohol had a lower total- and memory domain score than those using cannabis. Patients using opioids scored lower on visuospatial abilities than those using cannabis or stimulants. Younger patients scored higher than older patients. No effect was found for the other investigated characteristics. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Given the high prevalence of cognitive impairments, standard screening at an early stage of treatment is important to determine the course of treatment and maximise treatment outcome. Caution is needed in interpreting results about opioids due to an underrepresentation of this patient group, and more research is needed on the effect of age on Montreal Cognitive Assessment performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien J W H Bruijnen
- Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Boukje A G Dijkstra
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Novadic-Kentron, Addiction Care Centre, Vught, The Netherlands
| | - Serge J W Walvoort
- Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wiebren Markus
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,IrisZorg, Centre for Addiction Treatment, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne E L VanDerNagel
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Tactus, Centre for Addiction and Intellectual Disability, Deventer, The Netherlands.,Aveleijn, Borne, The Netherlands
| | - Roy P C Kessels
- Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A J DE Jong
- Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Thirty two cases of acute Wernicke's encephalopathy were observed in a period of 33 months, and prior to the mandatory thiamine enrichment of Australian bread-making flour in 1991. These cases were carefully assessed by multiple tests at specified intervals prior to, and following thiamine administration until discharge from hospital. Structured scoring of neurological signs and symptoms, CT scans, psychometry, nutritional measurements, and liver biopsies were performed. There was variation in the presentation and severity of clinical signs and symptoms and in response to treatment. All patients had alcohol-related liver disease, and the results indicated that fatty liver was important in presentation and in response to treatment with thiamine. Other forms of alcohol related brain damage were present in these patients, most of whom were in the 4th or 5th decade of life and had been drinking beer to excess for more than 20 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Wood
- University of Melbourne, Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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