Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Neuropsychiatry

Background:The use of Synthetic Cannabinoids has been increasing throughout the world and has become a major public health concern. Synthetic cannabinoid products have effects similar to those of natural cannabis but they are more potent and dangerous and their use has resulted in various adverse effects. Aim:To study Mood and Anxiety disorders in male synthetic cannabinoid dependent youth in comparison to male cannabis dependent youth.Method:The study is a case control study that was conducted on 150participants who were recruited from Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University over a period of 8 months. Fifty adolescent male participants with synthetic cannabinoid dependence were compared to fifty adolescent male participants with cannabis dependence and fiftyhealthy matched controls. All participants were assessed by The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV-TR Axis I Disorders (SCID I), Hamilton Rating scale for Depression (HAM- D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)and Addiction Severity Index (ASI).The control group was assessed by the General Health Questionnaire- 12 (GHQ) as well.Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the three studied groups in the scores of HAM-Dand HAM-A.The results of the study showed significant correlation between the substance use data and mood and anxiety disorders

Issued also as CD