Features of clinical manifestations of psychotic disorders in synthetic cathinones users

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenological features of psychotic disorders in synthetic cathinones users. The study included 128 patients of rehabilitation centers (departments) undergoing rehabilitation in connection with the use of these narcotic substances. The examined patients were divided into 2 groups: with systematic (n=93) and episodic (n=35) intake of synthetic cathinones. Clinical-psychopathological, clinical-anamnestic, clinical-catamnestic and mathematical-statistical methods of examination were used. The study showed that the clinical picture of psychotic disorders caused by the use of synthetic cathinones in both groups differed mainly in the frequency and duration of schizophrenia-like psychotic disorders. In patients with systematic intake, the disorders developed significantly more often and tended to lasted longer (up to a year or more). The main risk factors for the formation of prolonged schizophrenia-like psychotic disorders were the long-term use and the parenteral type of drug intake. Negative psychopathological symptoms characteristic of schizophrenic disorders, as well as the phasing of the course, which is typical for procedural endogenous disorders, were not detected in most cases. The clinical picture of prolonged schizophrenia-like psychotic disorders in most patients was characterized by a gradual reduction of symptoms. The results of the study are consistent with the data obtained by researchers in the study of psychotic disorders caused by the use of methamphetamines.