What the study found
The meta-analysis found that cognitive impairment in substance-induced psychotic disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders may be quite similar. The only clear difference reported was a subtle but significant advantage in executive functions for substance-induced psychotic disorder.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest that the harmful effect of substance use leading to psychosis may cause cognitive impairment as severe as that seen in schizophrenia. They also suggest that differences in executive functioning may help distinguish schizophrenia from substance-induced psychotic disorder.
What the researchers tested
The researchers systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for comparative studies of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and substance-induced psychotic disorder. They included studies meeting their criteria, assessed risk of bias with QUADAS-2, and pooled results using a random-effects model with means and standard deviations converted to Hedges' g.
What worked and what didn't
Eighteen studies with 1,092 patients were included. The overall random-effects meta-analysis showed no overall effect, while the analysis by cognitive domain found a small but significant difference in executive functions favoring substance-induced psychotic disorder. Performance was comparable between groups in memory, attention, psychomotor speed, and intellectual functioning.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed study-level limitations beyond the risk-of-bias assessment. The findings are based on comparative studies included in the meta-analysis, so they apply to the populations represented in those studies.
- The meta-analysis found broadly similar cognitive impairment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and substance-induced psychotic disorder.
- Executive functions were the only domain with a reported significant difference, favoring substance-induced psychotic disorder.
- Memory, attention, psychomotor speed, and intellectual functioning were comparable between groups.
- Eighteen studies and 1,092 patients were included after systematic database searches.
- The authors suggest substance-related psychosis may impair cognition as severely as schizophrenia.