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Inflammatory alterations in dual diagnosis patients with schizophrenia and substance use disorders
Author(s) -
Kouassi Edouard,
Potvin Stéphane,
Stip Emmanuel,
Lipp Olivier,
Igué Raouf,
Bah Ramatoulaye,
Gendron Alain
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.lb430
Subject(s) - schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , medicine , positive and negative syndrome scale , psychopathology , major depressive disorder , psychiatry , depression (economics) , substance abuse , bipolar disorder , dual diagnosis , psychosis , amygdala , lithium (medication) , economics , macroeconomics
The lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) is high (~50%) in schizophrenia (SCZ). The study objective was to evaluate the inflammatory status of dual diagnosis (DD) patients with SCZ and SUDs. Patients (n = 29) were diagnosed with a schizophrenia‐spectrum disorder and a comorbid SUD (cannabis>alcohol>cocaine) (DSM‐IV criteria). Psychiatric symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. Healthy controls (n = 28) consisted of sex‐ and age‐matched volunteers without any known history of SCZ or SUDs. Plasma cytokines were assessed by multiplex immunoassay or by monoplex ELISA for higher sensitivity. Between‐group differences were assessed using ANOVA, and level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1 receptor antagonist, and soluble IL‐2 receptor were increased in DD patients, compared to controls, while L‐17 was normal. Both IL‐6 and IL‐8 were associated with the severity of depressive symptoms and with alcohol consumption. These findings indicate that an inflammatory syndrome does exist in DD patients, and it may play a role in psychopathology. Future studies will elucidate the contribution of specific drugs of abuse and their interactions with SCZ in the dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines in DD patients. Supported by CIHR, and by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.