Circadian Characteristics in Patients under Treatment for Substance Use Disorders and Severe Mental Illness (Schizophrenia, Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder)

Abstract

Dual disorders (substance use and mental illness comorbidity) are a condition that has been strongly associated with severe symptomatology and clinical complications. The study of circadian characteristics in patients with Severe Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) has shown that such variables are related with mood symptoms and worse recovery. In absence of studies about circadian characteristics in patients with dual disorders we examined a sample of 114 male participants with SUD and comorbid Schizophrenia (SZ+; n = 38), Bipolar Disorder (BD+; n = 36) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD+; n = 40). The possible differences in the sample of patients according to their psychiatric diagnosis, circadian functioning with recordings of distal skin temperature during 48 h (Thermochron iButton®), circadian typology and sleep-wake schedules were explored. MDD+ patients were more morning-type, while SZ+ and BD+ had an intermediate-type; the morning-type was more frequent among participants under inpatient SUD treatment. SZ+ patients had the highest amount of sleeping hours, lowest arousal and highest drowsiness followed by BD+ and MDD+, respectively. These observed differences suggest that treatment for patients with dual disorders could include chronobiological strategies to help them synchronize patterns with the day-light cycle, since morning-type is associated with better outcomes and recovery.

Circadian rhythmicity in schizophrenia male patients with and without substance use disorder comorbidity

“…Regarding substance use, consistent with previous studies [25,40], most of the patients were polydrug users, although we found a higher consumption of cannabis in SZ + compared to SUD. This data is relevant since cannabis use is a risk factor for developing SZ [42].…”

Effects of substance use disorder on oxidative and antioxidative stress markers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…However, previous meta‐analyses have shown that patients with bipolar disorder present significant alterations in antioxidant and oxidant markers, with prominent increases in TBARS and NO levels 21 . Schizophrenia pathophysiology also has a high interplay with oxidative alterations 45,46 . More specifically, it has been shown that patients with schizophrenia present increased levels of ROS and reduced SOD and GSH‐Px activity 47 .…”

“… 21 Schizophrenia pathophysiology also has a high interplay with oxidative alterations. 45 , 46 More specifically, it has been shown that patients with schizophrenia present increased levels of ROS and reduced SOD and GSH‐Px activity. 47 Furthermore, subjects with substantial medical comorbidities mixed in the SUD sample were identified in some studies during the screening process.…”

The Influence of Artificial Light at Night on Asthma and Allergy, Mental Health, and Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Scoping Review Protocol

“…Circadian function has been implicated in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases through a number of potential mechanisms [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Mental illnesses can be understandably complex, however, there is growing evidence of associations between these conditions and circadian dysfunction as well [ 38 , 39 , 40 ], which could possibly be mediated by altered sleep behaviour [ 38 ]. Additionally, disruption of circadian function through light exposure has long been considered in seasonal behavioural disorders [ 41 ].…”