TITLE:
Amphetamine Versus Non Amphetamine-Related First Episode Psychosis in Saudi Arabian Patients
AUTHORS:
Ehab Said EL Desoky, Ashraf M A El-Tantawy, Yasser M. Raya, Abdulhameed Al-Yahya
KEYWORDS:
Amphetamine, First Episode Psychosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.2 No.3,
July
26,
2011
ABSTRACT: Background: Amphetamines are illicit psychostimulant drugs that can induce psychotic symptoms. Very few studies have been conducted in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SA) on amphetamine abuse and related psychosis. Recently, the pattern of amphetamine abuse in SA showed a significant trend of increased frequency.
Objectives: To investigate the extent of amphetamine abuse in a sample of Saudi patients hospitalized for first episode of acute psychosis. Also, to compare in that sample between amphetamine psychosis and other psychoses regarding demographic data, premorbid personality and symptoms profile.
Method: 106 patients with acute psychosis were hospitalized and screening of urine for amphetamine was conducted for all. Patients’ psychiatric evaluation included interviewing, and ICD-10 criteria for personality disorders. 30 healthy subjects were also included for comparison with patients.
Results: 34/106 of psychotic patients (32%) were positive for amphetamine in urine (≥ 1000 ng/ml). The frequency of personality disorders was significantly higher (P