Depressive syndrome in schizophrenia and cannabis use

Introduction Cannabis use is frequently observed in schizophrenia. Several medical and organic factors can lead to this comorbidity. These include depressive symptoms. Objective Assessing the prevalence of depressive symptoms within a population of schizophrenic inpatients and the association with cannabis use. Method A group of 403 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), were assessed by The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) scale measure depressive symptom in schizophrenia. Socio-demographic, clinic, and urine toxicology screens testing data were collected. Results The Schizophrenic patients included in this study have an average age of 33years. The majority of them are males (90%), single (76%) and unemployed (72%). A total of 38 patients (9,4%) have depressive symptoms (scored 6 or more on the CDSS). Among this group, 16 patients (42,1%) were tested positive for cannabis used. Although there is a high proportion of cannabis use among patients with depression symptoms, there was no significant correlation between the CDSS total score and cannabis use among schizophrenic patients. Conclusion Depression is well known to occur during the course of schizophrenia in many patients and contributes substantially to the morbidity. Studies are needed that include correlation analyses between depression and cannabis use in schizophrenia.