Profile of psychiatric symptoms in methamphetamine users in China: Greater risk of psychiatric symptoms with a longer duration of use.

ABSTRACT

Chronic methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with psychiatric symptoms. This study explored pattern of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms in MA users and their relationship to duration of MA use. A cross-sectional study was conducted among MA users at the Shenzhen Compulsory Drug Detoxification Center from April 2012 to October 2015. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess psychiatric symptoms. Among 1277 MA users, 57.6% participants had any type of psychiatric symptoms including depressive, anxiety and psychotic symptoms. A dose-response relationship was found between duration of MA use and risk of psychiatric symptoms. The odds ratios (OR) of depressive symptoms increased with the duration of MA use (1-5 years vs. < 1 year 1.74 [95% CI, 1.24-2.42]; ≥ 5 years vs. < 1 year 2.07 [1.19-3.61]), so did the ORs of co-occurring anxiety and depressive symptoms (1-5 years 1.74 [1.20-2.51]; ≥ 5 years 3.09 [1.76-5.40]). Methamphetamine-dependent individuals were four-times more likely to experience any type of psychiatric symptoms than non-dependent users. The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms was high in chronic MA users and increased with MA use duration. Early prevention and treatment strategies targeting both MA use and associated psychiatric symptoms are needed.