The risk and associated factors of methamphetamine psychosis in methamphetamine-dependent patients in Malaysia
Section snippets
Background
Methamphetamine is a derivative of amphetamine, with more pronounced psychotropic properties [1]. The use of methamphetamine produces a wide range of symptoms, including irritability, physical aggression, hyperawareness and psychomotor agitation. When used in high dose or repeatedly, this stimulant can cause drug-induced psychosis that displays symptoms similar to those of paranoid schizophrenia, which is characterised by hallucinations, delusions and thought disorders.
Methamphetamine-induced
Study design and subjects
This was a cross-sectional study. To generalize the findings and recruitment rate, this study was conducted at two different centers, namely a teaching hospital (University Malaya Medical Centre) located in the capital of the country (Kuala Lumpur), and a drug rehabilitation center in a suburb city, East Malaysia (Drug Rehabilitation Centre Papar, Sabah). The study was conducted from June 2008 until June 2009.
All patients with methamphetamine dependence were approached during the study period.
Results
A total of 292 subjects were included in the study, of which 246 were from the drug rehabilitation center, and 46 were recruited from the teaching hospital. The mean age of the subjects was 30.5 years. Subjects from the teaching hospital were about 4 years older. Almost all the subjects were males, except three females who were recruited from the teaching hospital. Most of them were single and Malay with an at least secondary level of education. They mainly had a fulltime job, and one fifth was
Discussion
To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study in Malaysia to examine the risk of methamphetamine-induced psychosis among methamphetamine-dependent patients from hospital-based and drug rehabilitation-based populations. A total of 292 methamphetamine-dependent patients were recruited for the study. They were mainly 30-year-old males, having received at least secondary education with fulltime job. This was similar to an earlier study conducted on the demographic characteristics of the
Conclusion
The risk of psychosis among methamphetamine-dependent subjects was high in Malaysia. The associated factors for psychosis in methamphetamine-dependent patients were co-morbid affective disorder, antisocial personality and higher amount of methamphetamine use. The findings of this study provide important insights into methamphetamine-induced psychosis, and will impart a clearer understanding and help the mental health care providers to formulate effective treatment and management of severe and
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Publication of this supplement was supported by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysian Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Source of funding: University of Malaya Research Grant.