Cannabis use history was associated with longer delays before psychosis treatment
In 33 first-episode psychosis patients, cannabis use history was a significant predictor of longer duration of untreated psychosis in a multivariate model that also included age and negative symptoms.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
No single sociodemographic or disease factor predicted duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) individually except education level. In multivariate analysis, age at inclusion, negative symptoms, and cannabis use history significantly predicted longer DUP.
Key Numbers
33 patients studied. Cannabis use, age, and negative symptoms were significant predictors of DUP in multivariate analysis. No other individual factors were significant.
How They Did This
Prospective study of 33 consecutive patients crossing the CAARMS psychosis threshold at a specialized early detection clinic in Paris. DUP and cannabis history assessed through comprehensive interviews of patients, parents, and practitioners.
Why This Research Matters
Longer DUP is associated with worse long-term outcomes in psychosis. If cannabis use contributes to delayed treatment-seeking, this is a modifiable factor that early intervention programs should address.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis users with emerging psychosis may be less likely to seek help, possibly because cannabis provides perceived symptom relief, reduces insight into illness, or exists in a social context where help-seeking is less likely.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (n=33). Single-center study in Paris. DUP measurement depends on accurate recall of symptom onset. Multivariate model with three predictors in 33 subjects has limited statistical power.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis reduce insight into psychotic symptoms?
- ?Would cannabis-focused outreach reduce DUP?
- ?Are cannabis-using patients referred to treatment through different pathways than non-users?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis use predicted longer duration of untreated psychosis
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: small prospective study (n=33) from a single site.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Individual factors influencing the duration of untreated psychosis.
- Published In:
- Early intervention in psychiatry, 13(4), 798-804 (2019)
- Authors:
- Souaiby, Lama, Gauthier, Claire, Kazes, Mathilde, Mam-Lam-Fook, Célia, Daban, Claire, Plaze, Marion, Gaillard, Raphaël, Krebs, Marie-Odile
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02302
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is duration of untreated psychosis?
DUP is the time between when psychotic symptoms first appear and when treatment begins. Shorter DUP is consistently associated with better long-term outcomes in schizophrenia and related disorders.
Why might cannabis users delay treatment?
Cannabis may mask early psychotic symptoms, reduce motivation to seek help, or provide a social environment where unusual experiences are normalized rather than flagged as concerning.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02302APA
Souaiby, Lama; Gauthier, Claire; Kazes, Mathilde; Mam-Lam-Fook, Célia; Daban, Claire; Plaze, Marion; Gaillard, Raphaël; Krebs, Marie-Odile. (2019). Individual factors influencing the duration of untreated psychosis.. Early intervention in psychiatry, 13(4), 798-804. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12562
MLA
Souaiby, Lama, et al. "Individual factors influencing the duration of untreated psychosis.." Early intervention in psychiatry, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12562
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Individual factors influencing the duration of untreated psy..." RTHC-02302. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/souaiby-2019-individual-factors-influencing-the
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.