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Other than among young-onset males we found no increase in labour and delivery complications among cases.

Aims and MethodTo identify the prevalence and patterns of substance misuse in patients with schizophrenia in a catchment population in Dublin, and to compare this with that of a control group from general practice. Ninety-nine patients and 75 controls were interviewed using a semi-structured technique. Urine samples were obtained from all patients and controls were analysed for illicit substances.ResultsPrevalence of illicit substance and alcohol misuse was similar among patients (illicit substances, 45%; alcohol, 33%) and controls (illicit substances, 43%; alcohol, 25%). Patterns of substance misuse were similar, apart from ecstasy, which was used more commonly by controls. Discrepancies were found between histories of drug use and urinalysis.Clinical ImplicationsIllicit substance misuse in patients with schizophrenia may mirror usage in the general population, rates of misuse reflecting cultural factors rather than illness and patterns of misuse reflecting geographical variations in the availability of drugs. A combination of screening methods is more effective than the use of a single source of information.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with violence in a drug treatment centre.Method: This study is a retrospective audit of all incident forms completed at an urban drug treatment centre between December 1991 and July 1996 with reference to case notes for additional clinical information on individuals involved in violent incidents.Participants included all patients attending the centre in the aforementioned time period who were involved in violent incidents. Information was obtained about the prevalence and severity of violent incidents and patient details including main drug of abuse, route of use, reason for attendance, comorbid axis 1 diagnosis, history of previous incidents and HIV status at the time of the incident.Results: One per cent of all patients were involved in violent incidents. Less than one quarter of incidents involved serious injury or assault. Most perpetrators were male intravenous heroin users on a methadone maintenance programme. Nurses and doctors were most frequently the victims of incidents. Ten per cent of patients had a history of previous incidents and almost half the perpetrators were HIV positive. A comorbid axis 1 diagnosis was found in 9% of perpetrators (n = 6), mainly alcohol dependence syndrome.

These findings suggest that obstetric adversity is not a risk factor for later mania.