Abstract

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE, SUBSTANCE USE TRENDS AND ASSOCIATED PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS AMONG VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY OF US VETERANS

Author(s): Jason Obermann, Krishna Divadeenam, Alexandra V. Flynn, Hemant Thakur, Vikas Singh, Rishi Sharma, Thomas Wiegmann, Varun Boinpelly, Kenneth Grasing, Mukut Sharma, Ram Sharma

Background: Amphetamine and other substances induced psychotic disorder and associated suicidal risk among hospitalized US veterans is not clear. Aims: To understand the demographic profile, substance use trends, psychotic disorders and suicide attempts in veterans hospitalized with acute Mental Health Conditions (MHC). Methods: Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure Database and ICD codes were used to identify veterans hospitalized with MHC diagnosis between 10/1/1999 and 02/27/2022. Laboratory records were used to determine types of substances used, hospitalization frequency, all-cause mortality, suicide attempts and suicide outcomes. SAS was used for statistical analysis. Results: Psychosis, manic-bipolar and PTSD were common diagnosis among veterans with MHC. Psychosis was comparatively less common among males above 50 years of age, but was prevalent among Hispanics. Substances use was significantly higher among veterans with MHC. Amphetamines were most used substance, followed by cannabis codeine, morphine, cocaine, barbiturates, fentanyl, and PCP. Amphetamine induced psychotic disorder persisted in 22.28%, whereas other substance induced psychotic disorder persisted in 77.72% of veterans hospitalized with MHC. Psychosis was associated with higher rates of hospitalization, suicide attempts, and suicide death. Conclusions: Amphetamine was most used substance associated with higher rates of psychotic disorders, hospitalization, suicide attempts, and death among US Veterans with MHC.

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