Sammanfattning
Background: Approximately half of patients suffering from a signifi cant drug or alcohol related
disorder also match the criteria of some other psychiatric disorder. Yet, little is known about
comorbidity among substance misusing pregnant women. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of
psychiatric diseases among mothers with substance misuse severe enough to end up in an
assessment at a specialized addiction clinic and to compare their backgrounds to the controls.
Methods: Between 1 June 2003 and 31 December 2005, the maternity clinics in Pirkanmaa
health district were asked to refer mothers with possible substance misuse to Tampere
University Addiction Psychiatric Clinic, where 119/217 patients were considered misusers.
Of these, 49/119 (41.2%) participated in the whole study. At baseline, the assessment was
made using the International Statistical Classifi cation of Diseases and Related Health Problems
(ICD-10) and at the end of the study, 6 - 12 months after delivery, with the Structured Clinical
Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). The comparison group ( n 74) fi lled a postal survey concerning
their background and substance use. Results: 57% of substance misusing pregnant women had
psychiatric illnesses; 6 - 12 months after delivery the number of substance use-related diagnoses
was 40%. However, the number, spectrum and severity of psychiatric diagnoses were high in
this group. Conclusions: Psychiatric comorbidity is common among substance misusing mothers.
Their social situation is often very diffi cult and support needs vary a lot. In order to offer them
best possible treatment, diagnosing these disorders should be a routine part of evaluation during
pregnancy.