Abstract
Aims: The objective of this study is to underline the impact of Gaming
Disorder on the clinical evolution of patients with First Episode
Psychosis. The specific aims of the study are to determine the
prevalence of gaming disorder among those patients and assess the
consequences of gaming on their clinical trajectory.
Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study that will enroll
800 patients diagnosed with a first episode psychosis, with a follow-up
period of up to 3 years. Using a systematic screening procedure for
gaming disorder, the clinical staff will assess patients gaming habits
at admission and every 6 months thereafter. Information from patients’
medical records will also be extracted using the same timeframe.
Results: The patients’ characteristics at admission and during follow-up
will be presented in the form of descriptive statistics and compared
between different subgroups of patients using uni- and multivariate
logistic regression models. Repeated measures ANCOVA will also be
performed to analyze the impact of gaming disorders on patients’
clinical path as assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
and the Clinical Global Impression scale, considering covariates such as
psychiatric diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, age, sex/gender, and
duration of untreated psychosis.
Conclusion: These findings will guide the development of prevention,
detection, and treatment strategies for the comorbidity between gaming
disorder and first episode psychosis, ultimately improving the patients’
recovery.