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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Schizophrenia | Research article

Hazardous alcohol use in a sample of first episode psychosis patients in Singapore

Authors: Laxman Cetty, Shazana Shahwan, Pratika Satghare, Fiona Devi, Boon Yiang Chua, Swapna Verma, Helen Lee, Siow Ann Chong, Mythily Subramaniam

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Hazardous alcohol use has often been found to be more prevalent amongst psychiatric outpatients than the general population. Additionally, it has also been associated with poorer outcomes. The study aimed to investigate (1) the prevalence and (2) socio-demographic and clinical correlates of hazardous alcohol use, as well as (3) the relationship between hazardous alcohol use and quality of life in an outpatient sample with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) in Singapore.

Methods

Baseline data (N = 280) was extracted from a longitudinal study investigating smoking and alcohol use amongst outpatients with FEP in a psychiatric hospital. Information on socio-demographics, hazardous alcohol use, and quality of life was collected through a self-report survey. Hazardous alcohol use was ascertained by total scores of 8 or higher on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data was analysed using logistic regression and linear regression analyses.

Results

The prevalence of hazardous alcohol use over the past 12-month period was 12.9%. Those who had never smoked in their lifetime (vs current smokers) and those with a diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder (vs schizophrenia spectrum disorders) were found to have significantly lower odds of hazardous alcohol use. Hazardous alcohol use was also associated with lower negative symptom scores. Lastly, hazardous alcohol use was found to significantly predict lower scores on the physical health, social relationship and environment domains of quality of life.

Conclusions

The association between hazardous alcohol use and lower negative symptom scores is a surprising finding that needs to be further explored. The significant impact of hazardous alcohol use in reductions in quality of life suggests that early screening and interventions could benefit patients with hazardous alcohol use and comorbid psychosis.
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Metadata
Title
Hazardous alcohol use in a sample of first episode psychosis patients in Singapore
Authors
Laxman Cetty
Shazana Shahwan
Pratika Satghare
Fiona Devi
Boon Yiang Chua
Swapna Verma
Helen Lee
Siow Ann Chong
Mythily Subramaniam
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Schizophrenia
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2073-z

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