Psychopathological differences in schizophrenia associated with amphetamine use in a sample of male Saudi patients

Introduction
Amphetamine use is a significant problem around the world and is common in psychiatric patients. Very few studies in Saudi Arabia have addressed the effect of amphetamine on the psychopathology of schizophrenic patients. The study aimed to assess any psychopathological differences in schizophrenia associated with amphetamine use in male Saudi patients at Mental Health Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Material and methods
All male patients with schizophrenia admitted during a period of one year were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndromes’ Scale (PANSS). Means of syndromes and subscales’ scores for schizophrenic patients with recent amphetamine use (RAU) were compared with those with no recent use (NRAU). A χ2 test was used on the associations.

Results
Among 199 schizophrenic male patients included in the study, 35 (17.5%) had amphetamine use over the last week prior to hospital admission. This is referred to as “recent amphetamine use” (RAU). No statistically significant differences in positive symptoms were found between schizophrenic patients of RAU and NRAU, except in excitement, which was higher in (RAU) (p = 0.028). The scores of negative symptoms were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients with NRAU (p = 0.002). Regarding risk behaviour, violence was more frequent in RAU patients (p = 0.037). Unlike some other studies, difference was mainly in excitement rather than in delusions or hallucinations, suggesting a trans-cultural issue which needs more exploration.

Conclusions
Amphetamine use is associated with psychopathological differences in schizophrenia requiring special consideration and safety measures and more studies of different design.