Comorbidity of harmful use of alcohol in population of schizophrenic patients.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies carried out during the last twenty years point to an increase of co-morbidity of harmful use of alcohole caused disorders in the population of schizophrenic patients. The results show rate of this kind of co-morbidity between 35 and 80%. The aims of the investigation are: establishing frequency of harmful use of alcohol in the patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia, observed against the population statistics data; determination of possible predictors of harmful use of alcohol in the population of schizophrenic patients (adolsecent bihevioural problems, child neuroticism); determination of heritage role in the development of the both nosologic entities and the analysis of the outcomes of harmful use of alcohol in the population of schizophrenic patients (suicide attempts, cognitive impairment).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The population included 50 inpatients between 20 and 50 years, with primary diagnosis of schizophrenia. Diagnostic procedure was carried out by application: Structured clinical interview ICD 10 (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview), Structured questionnaire for the assessment characteristics and effects of harmful use of alcohol in the population of schizophrenics - modified version, Mini mental state scale and Heteroanamnestic questionnaire. Comparison was made between the patients with schizophrenia and the patients with co-morbidity.

RESULTS: The results revealed significantly higher rate harmful use of alcohol co-morbidity in the male population. There is a prominent significant difference in alcoholism heritage in co-morbidity group. A statistically significant difference between the sub-groups was found in the frequency of child neuroticism and adolescent behavioral problems. The results point to a higher suicidal risk and higher rate of cognitive impairment in the co-morbidity sub-group.

CONCLUSIONS: Young male with schizophrenia and family history of alcoholism are especially susceptible by this type of co-morbidity. Presence of child neuroticism may represent "protective factor" for development of harmful use of alcohol. The study stressed some serious consequences of this type of co-morbidity: increase rate of suicide attempts, as well as more frequent development of organic brain tissue impairment.