Acta Neuropsychiatr. 2023 Apr 28:1-29. doi: 10.1017/neu.2023.24. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: A dysbalance of the immune system in psychotic disorders has been well investigated. However, despite a higher prevalence of cannabis (THC) consumption in patients with psychosis, few studies have investigated the impact of this use on inflammatory markers.
METHODS: One hundred and two inpatients were included in this retrospective study. Leukocytic formula, hsCRP, fibrinogen levels and urinary THC were measured, and comparisons were performed at baseline and after 4 weeks of cannabis cessation between cannabis users (THC+) and non-users (THC-).
RESULTS: After cannabis cessation, we found a greater increase of leucocyte level (p < 0.01), monocyte level (p = 0.05) and a statistical trend to a highest increase of lymphocyte level (p = 0.06) between baseline and 4 weeks in the THC+ group as compared to the THC- group. At 4 weeks, highest leucocyte (p = 0.03), lymphocyte (p = 0.04) and monocyte (p < 0.01) counts were found in the THC+ group whereas at baseline no difference was found. A positive correlation was found between monocyte count at 4 weeks and baseline PANSS negative subscore (p = 0.045) and between the variation of monocyte count between baseline and 4 weeks and the PANSS total score at 4 weeks (p = 0.05).
CONCLUSION: THC cessation is associated with an increase in inflammatory markers, including white blood cell, lymphocyte, and monocyte levels, which correlates with symptomatology of patients with psychosis.
PMID:37114467 | DOI:10.1017/neu.2023.24
