Cannabis and Tramadol are Prevalent among the First Episode Drug-Induced Psychosis in the Egyptian Population: Single Center Experience

Abstract

(1) Background: Cannabis and tramadol are featuring prominently in Egypt; however, their prevalence in first episode psychosis is still uncertain. We aimed at determining the prevalence of cannabis and tramadol among the first-psychotic episode in Egyptian inpatients and to compare the demographic and psychopathological profiles of substance abusers versus patients with the comorbid diagnosis. (2) Methods: Patients presented with psychotic episode and admitted to Mansoura Psychiatric Department were recruited. Diagnosis of psychiatric illness and drug/substance use was carried out using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Standard urine tests and thin layer chromatography were performed to detect cannabis and tramadol. (3) Results: Of the 100 subjects in the study, the majority (55.6%) of patients were cannabis-only positive. Overall, cannabis-alone showed the highest frequency of substance used among the currently diagnosed psychotic disorders. According to urine tests, cannabis demonstrates the higher frequency of intake in both studied groups. 66.7% of the studied population had 1−5 years self-reported histories of substance abuse predating the first psychotic episode. (4) Conclusions: The percentage of cannabis and tramadol among the first episode psychotic patients has been unexpectedly high and the standard urine testing should be considered in emergency and mental health facilities.

Keywords

• prevalence
• drug abuse
• psychosis
• psychotic-spectrum disorders
• cannabis
• tramadol
• first-psychotic episode
• first episode drug-induced psychosis