Gender differences in lifetime psychiatric and substance use disorders among people who use substances in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

FindingsThe prevalence of any lifetime psychiatric (non-SUD) disorder was 41.8%, with major depression (17%) and antisocial personality disorder (17%) being the most prevalent disorders. After adjusting for age and study, the odds of having any lifetime non-SUD (OR 2.10; 95%CI Research limitations/implicationsPsychiatric disorders are common among people who use substances, with gender differences reported for specific disorders. Gender-sensitive integrated treatment approaches are required to prevent and to address comorbidity psychiatric disorders among this population. Originality/valueThis secondary analysis of five cross-sectional studies included a large sample size allowing sufficient power to examine differences between men and women.An additional strength of the methodology is the use of the gold standard PRISM which was used to assess disorders.

Dual Disorders in the Consultation Liaison Addiction Service: Gender Perspective and Quality of Life

“…Depression was the most common DD in both genders, while panic and generalized anxiety were more frequent in women. We could not confirm results of other studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], except for a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders in women compared to men. We think a possible explanation, besides the small sample size, could be an under-diagnosis or lower self-report of consumption, specifically in women, that limit their seeking consultation.…”

“…Gender plays a crucial role in determining vulnerability, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes in patients with SUD. Women are more vulnerable than men in the addiction process, since they progress more quickly from the first substance contact to their addiction (telescoping effect), requiring less dose and time of use to reach a greater degree of addiction severity [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Women with SUD present more medical and psychiatric comorbidities than their male counterparts [ 17 ].…”

Psychiatric co-morbidity among women with substance use disorders

“…Although SUD is more frequent among males than females, the likelihood of having a comorbid psychiatric disorder is twice as high among women (Torrens et al , 2011). Among the drug-dependent women, dual diagnosis prevalence ranges between 15 and 100 per cent (Frem et al , 2017). Mood, anxiety (including post traumatic stress disorder), eating and borderline personality disorders are the most prevalent disorders, and also more frequent in females in comparison to men (Torrens et al , n.d.; Frem et al , 2017).…”

“…Among the drug-dependent women, dual diagnosis prevalence ranges between 15 and 100 per cent (Frem et al, 2017). Mood, anxiety (including post traumatic stress disorder), eating and borderline personality disorders are the most prevalent disorders, and also more frequent in females in comparison to men (Torrens et al, n.d.;Frem et al, 2017).…”