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Åhman A, Karlsson A, Berge J, Håkansson A. Mortality, morbidity, and predictors of death among amphetamine-type stimulant users - a longitudinal, nationwide register study. Addict Behav Rep 2024; 19:100553. [PMID: 38800761 PMCID: PMC11127464 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) contributes substantially to the global burden of disease. Large-scale follow-up studies of morbidity and mortality in ATS users are few. This study analysed morbidity, mortality, and potential predictors of all-cause mortality in a nationwide cohort of patients with ATS use disorder. Methods Data was acquired from national Swedish registers. All Swedish residents 18 years or older, with a registered ATS use diagnosis in 2013-2014 were included (N = 5,018) and followed until December 31, 2017. Comorbid diagnoses and causes of death were assessed and potential predictors of all-cause mortality were examined through Cox regression. Results Median age at inclusion was 36.6 years (interquartile range 27.4---48.1) and 70.5 % were men. The crude mortality rate was 24.6 per 1,000 person-years. The adjusted all-cause standardized mortality ratio was 12.4 (95 % CI [11.34-13.55]). The most common cause of death was overdose (28.9 %). Multiple drug use (hazard ratio 1.39, 95 % CI [1.14-1.70], p = 0.004), anxiety (hazard ratio 1.39, 95 % CI [1.11-1.72], p = 0.014), viral hepatitis (hazard ratio 1.85, 95 % CI [1.50-2.29], p = 0.004), and liver disease (hazard ratio 2.41, 95 % CI [1.55-3.74], p = 0.004) were predictors of all-cause mortality. Conclusions Multiple drug use, anxiety disorders, viral hepatitis and liver diseases were identified as risk factors for death. Our findings call for better screening, prevention, and treatment of somatic and psychiatric comorbidity among ATS users to reduce mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Åhman
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, BMC F12, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Karlsson
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, BMC F12, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - J. Berge
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, BMC F12, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Håkansson
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, BMC F12, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
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Kohno M, Dennis LE, McCready H, Hoffman WF. Dopamine dysfunction in stimulant use disorders: mechanistic comparisons and implications for treatment. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:220-229. [PMID: 34117366 PMCID: PMC8664889 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01180-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine system deficiencies and associated behavioral phenotypes may be a critical barrier to success in treating stimulant use disorders. Similarities in dopamine dysfunction between cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder but also key differences may impact treatment efficacy and outcome. This review will first compare the epidemiology of cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder. A detailed account of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties associated with each drug will then be discussed, with an emphasis on effects on the dopamine system and associated signaling pathways. Lastly, treatment results from pharmacological clinical trials will be summarized along with a more comprehensive review of the involvement of the trace amine-associated receptor on dopamine signaling dysfunction among stimulants and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milky Kohno
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. .,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. .,Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA. .,Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University and Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Laura E. Dennis
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA,Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Holly McCready
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA,Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - William F. Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA,Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA,Mental Health Division, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA,Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University and Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
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3
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Prescription psychostimulants for the treatment of stimulant use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2233-2255. [PMID: 32601988 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05563-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Agonist-based pharmacologic intervention is an accepted approach in treatment of opioid and tobacco use disorders. OBJECTIVES We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate usefulness of an agonist approach as treatment of (psycho)stimulant use disorder (PSUD). METHODS We reviewed PubMed/Medline, LILACS, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases searching for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design studies evaluating outcomes of individuals treated for cocaine- or amphetamine-type substance use disorder. We combined results of all trials that included the following prescription psychostimulants (PPs): modafinil, methylphenidate, or amphetamines (mixed amphetamine salts, lisdexamphetamine, and dextroamphetamine). The combined sample consisted of 2889 patients. Outcomes of interest included the following: drug abstinence (defined as 2-3 weeks of sustained abstinence and the average maximum days of consecutive abstinence), percentage of drug-negative urine tests across trial, and retention in treatment. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses and assessed quality of evidence using the GRADE system. RESULTS Thirty-eight trials were included. Treatment with PPs increases rates of sustained abstinence [risk ratio (RR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (1.10, 1.92)] and duration of abstinence [mean difference (MD) = 3.34, 95% CI = (1.06, 5.62)] in patients with PSUD, particularly those with cocaine use disorder (very low-quality evidence). Prescription amphetamines were particularly efficacious in promoting sustained abstinence in patients with cocaine use disorder [RR = 2.44, 95% CI = (1.66, 3.58)], and higher doses of PPs were particularly efficacious for treatment of cocaine use disorder [RR = 1.95, 95% CI = (1.38, 2.77)] (moderate-quality evidence). Treatment with prescription amphetamines also yielded more cocaine-negative urines [MD = 8.37%, 95% CI = (3.75, 12.98)]. There was no effect of PPs on the retention in treatment. CONCLUSION Prescription psychostimulants, particularly prescription amphetamines given in robust doses, have a clinically significant beneficial effect to promote abstinence in the treatment of individuals with PSUD, specifically the population with cocaine use disorder.
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Costa G, De Luca MA, Piras G, Marongiu J, Fattore L, Simola N. Neuronal and peripheral damages induced by synthetic psychoactive substances: an update of recent findings from human and animal studies. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:802-816. [PMID: 31719240 PMCID: PMC6990793 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.268895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that synthetic psychoactive substances, in addition to having abuse potential, may elicit toxic effects of varying severity at the peripheral and central levels. Nowadays, toxicity induced by synthetic psychoactive substances poses a serious harm for health, since recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young and adult people. The present review summarizes recent findings on the peripheral and central toxicity elicited by “old” and “new” synthetic psychoactive substances in humans and experimental animals, focusing on amphetamine derivatives, hallucinogen and dissociative drugs and synthetic cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gessica Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jacopo Marongiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Duflou J. Psychostimulant use disorder and the heart. Addiction 2020; 115:175-183. [PMID: 31321853 DOI: 10.1111/add.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulants are a diverse range of substances that encompass cocaine and the phenylethylamines, the latter including the amphetamines, cathinones and some 'novel psychoactive substances'. This paper examines the range of pathophysiological processes, clinical presentations and treatment options involving the heart and cardiovascular system both in the acute setting and where long-term effects of psychostimulant use have affected the cardiovascular system. A common feature of these drugs is their effect on the cardiovascular system, where their major action is that of sympathomimetic amines with short- and long-term stimulation of the adrenergic system and consequent effects on blood pressure, cardiac modelling, atherogenesis and cellular calcium signalling. Cocaine additionally exhibits a variety of prothrombotic effects, effects on inflammatory mediators and alterations in myocardial gene expression. Persistent psychostimulant use results in progressive cardiovascular pathology, largely in the form of accelerated atherosclerosis, hypertension and myocardial ischaemia. Abstinence results in at least partial reversal of pathology. To a large extent, an assumption is made that treatment protocols used for cocaine-associated cardiovascular pathology apply to the amphetamines and other phenylethylamines, but there appears to be little research in this area, despite acknowledgement that cocaine and the better-known amphetamines have different modes of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Duflou
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Miró Ò, Dargan PI, Wood DM, Dines AM, Yates C, Heyerdahl F, Hovda KE, Giraudon I, Galicia M. Epidemiology, clinical features and management of patients presenting to European emergency departments with acute cocaine toxicity: comparison between powder cocaine and crack cocaine cases. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019; 57:718-726. [PMID: 30696283 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2018.1549735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To analyse the epidemiology, clinical picture and emergency department (ED) management of a large series of patients who presented to European EDs after cocaine consumption, comparing data from powder (C1 group) and crack (C2 group) consumers. Methods: Between October 2013 and December 2016, the Euro-DEN Plus Registry recorded 17,371 consecutive acute recreational drug toxicity presentations to 22 EDs in 14 European countries. Epidemiological and demographic data, co-ingestion of alcohol and other drugs, clinical features, ED management and outcome (death) were analysed for cocaine cases, and comparison of clinical picture in C1 and C2 patients were performed adjusting for alcohol and other drug co-ingestion. Results: We included 3002 cases (C1: 2600; C2: 376; mixed consumption: 26): mean age 32(9) years, 23% female. The proportion of presentations involving cocaine varied significantly between countries (>30% in Malta, Spain, France, Denmark) and only centres in France, United Kingdom, Poland, Ireland and Malta recorded crack-related cases. Cocaine was frequently used with ethanol (74.3%, C1>C2) and other drugs (56.8%, C2>C1), the most frequent amphetamine (19.4%, C1>C2) and opioids (18.9%, C2>C1). C2 patients were more likely to have clinically significant episodes of hypotension (adjusted OR = 2.35; 95%CI = 1.42-3.89), and bradypnea (1.81; 1.03-3.16) and systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg on ED arrival (2.59; 1.28-5.25); while less likely anxiety (0.51; 0.38-0.70), chest pain (0.47; 0.31-0.70), palpitations (0.57; 0.38-0.84), vomiting (0.54; 0.32-0.90), and tachycardia on ED arrival (0.52; 0.39-0.67). Sedative drugs were given in 29.3%. The median length of hospital stay was 4:02 h, 22.1% patients were hospitalized, and 0.4% (n = 12) died. Conclusion: Cocaine is commonly involved in European ED presentations with acute recreational drug toxicity, but there is variation across Europe not just in the involvement of cocaine but in the proportion related to powder versus crack. Some differences in clinical picture and ED management exist between powder cocaine and crack consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Òscar Miró
- Emergency Department , Hospital Clínic, Barcelona; IDIBAPS , Barcelona , Spain.,Medical School , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Paul I Dargan
- Clinical Toxicology , Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners , London , United Kingdom.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine , King's College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology , Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners , London , United Kingdom.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine , King's College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Alison M Dines
- Clinical Toxicology , Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners , London , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Yates
- Servicio de Urgencias , Hospital Son Espases , Palma de Mallorca , Spain
| | - Fridtjof Heyerdahl
- The National CBRNe Centre of Medicine, Department of Acute Medicine, Medical Division , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Knut Erik Hovda
- The National CBRNe Centre of Medicine, Department of Acute Medicine, Medical Division , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Isabelle Giraudon
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) , Lisbon , Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Galicia
- Emergency Department , Hospital Clínic, Barcelona; IDIBAPS , Barcelona , Spain
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