UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Effect of continued cannabis use on medication adherence in the first two years following onset of psychosis

Schoeler, T; Petros, N; Di Forti, M; Klamerus, E; Foglia, E; Murray, R; Bhattacharyya, S; (2017) Effect of continued cannabis use on medication adherence in the first two years following onset of psychosis. Psychiatry Research , 255 pp. 36-41. 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.05.009. Green open access

[thumbnail of Schoeler_effect of continued cannabis use_first two years_psychosis_.pdf]
Preview
Text
Schoeler_effect of continued cannabis use_first two years_psychosis_.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (596kB) | Preview

Abstract

Uncertainty exists whether the use of non-prescription psychoactive substances following onset of a first episode of psychosis (FEP), in particular cannabis use, affects medication adherence. Data from FEP patients (N=233) obtained through prospective assessments measured medication adherence and pattern of cannabis and other substance use in the first two years following onset of psychosis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to compare the different substance use groups with regard to risk of medication non-adherence, while controlling for confounders. The proportion of non-adherent patients was higher in those who continued using high-potency forms of cannabis (skunk-like) following the onset (83%) when compared to never regular users (51%), corresponding to an Odds Ratio (OR) of 5.26[95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.91–15.68]. No significant increases in risk were present in those who used cannabis more sporadically or used milder forms of cannabis (hash-like). Other substances did not make an independent contribution in this model, including cigarette use ([OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.41–1.89]), alcohol use ([OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.27–1.64]) or regular use of other illicit drugs ([OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.34–3.15]) following the onset. These results suggest that continued use of high-potency cannabis following the onset of psychosis may adversely affect medication adherence.

Type: Article
Title: Effect of continued cannabis use on medication adherence in the first two years following onset of psychosis
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.05.009
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.05.009
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Cannabis, THC, First episode psychosis, Epidemiology
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1556926
Downloads since deposit
185Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item