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Adolescent inhalant use and psychosis risk - a prospective longitudinal study
Antti Mustonen1, Solja Niemelä2, John J McGrath3
1Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Schizophrenia Research
|July 1, 2018
Summary
Adolescent inhalant use significantly increases the risk of developing psychosis later in life. This longitudinal study highlights the need for policies to curb volatile substance use among youth.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Cross-sectional studies suggest a link between inhalant use and psychosis.
- This association requires further investigation using longitudinal data to control for confounders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal association between adolescent inhalant use and the subsequent risk of psychosis.
- To determine if the association persists after accounting for other substance use and potential confounding factors.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort of 6542 individuals from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 was analyzed.
- Self-report questionnaires assessed substance use and psychotic experiences at ages 15-16.
- Cox regression analysis examined the link between inhalant use (categorized by frequency) and psychosis diagnoses until age 30.
Main Results:
- Inhalant use was associated with an increased risk of incident psychosis (adjusted HR=3.06).
- A dose-response relationship was observed, with more frequent inhalant use linked to a greater risk (OR=2.34).
- The association remained significant after adjusting for baseline psychotic experiences, other substance use, mental disorders, and parental substance abuse.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent inhalant use is an independent risk factor for developing psychosis.
- Findings support the implementation of policies to reduce adolescent exposure to volatile substances due to adverse health outcomes.
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