Substance use in First-Episode Psychosis: Does Gender Matter?

Objetives: The aim of this study was to explore the influence of gender in the pattern of substance use in FEP patients. Methods: The study included 114 never treated patients with a first-episode psychosis, 85 men and 29 women. Results: Only 10.6% of the men did not consume any substance, as compared with 44.8% of the women. A significant correlation was noted in men between age and number of substances consumed. Gender, use of alcohol, cannabis or cocaine and number of substances used were entered in a stepwise regression model so as to assess whether they predicted age of first symptom of psychosis and age of onset of psychosis. Being male and using cannabis were the variables that most significantly contributed to an earlier age of first symptom presentation. Regarding prediction of age of onset of psychosis, both male gender and the use of a higher number of substances significantly predicted an earlier age of onset of psychosis. Conclusions: Our study evidences the existence of gender differences in the pattern of substance use, suggesting the need for gender specific approaches in all interventions performed in FEP patients.