Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder: a study of hospitalized patients in Lisbon

INTRODUCTION: While alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (AIPD) is a well-recognised clinical disorder, relativery little is known about aspects such as epidemiology, course and treatment of the condition. Current evidence suggests AIPD can be clinically distinguised from alcohol-withdrawal delirium and schizophrenia. AIPD is associated with high comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, high re-hospitalization and mortality rate, namely suicidal behaviour. OBJECTIVES: The objetive of the study was to examine the correlates, clinical features, psycopathology, and short-term response in an inpatient sample with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, predominant hallucinations (ICD-10 F10.52) admitted to Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. METHODS: We collected retrospectively data from all admitted patients to our Alcohol Unit between January 2010 and January 2020 with the diagnosis of AIPD. The exclusion criteria were: presence of preexisting psychotic disorder, delirium, or other substance use disorders. We characterized our sample in Demographic categories, Clinical categories, Treatment and Short-term course. RESULTS: A total of 113 subjects were included in the study. The prevalance of alcoholic hallucinosis was found to be 1.3% of all patients who received inpatient treatment. Most individuals reported auditory hallucinations, that iniciated when they decrease their alcohol intake, and 1 in 4 had past episodes of AIPD. CONCLUSIONS: There are specific challenges in studiyng AIPD, such as the relatively rarity of the disorder, its often transient nature and high levels of comorbidity. A high degree of recurrence and morbidity indicates a need to prevent, and intervene early with an abstinent-oriented management goal. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.