Monitoring the prevalence of methamphetamine-related presentations at psychiatric hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa

作者：Plueddemann A^*; Dada S; Parry C D H; Kader R; Parker J S; Temmingh H; van Heerden S; de Clercq C; Lewis I

来源：African Journal of Psychiatry, 2013, 16(1): 45-49.

DOI：10.4314/ajpsy.v16i1.8

• Methamphetamine
• Admissions
• Psychosis
• South Africa

Objective: This study aimed to determine a demographic profile of methamphetamine (MA)-related admissions to major psychiatric services in Cape Town, obtain a substance use profile from admitted patients, a profile of common MA-related symptoms encountered during the assessment of the patients presenting with MA-related problems, and a brief profile of the psychiatric diagnoses made. Method: Staff in six psychiatric hospitals or wards in Cape Town collected data on methamphetamine related admissions between July and December 2008 using a one-page record review form. The data collection form consisted of the patient%26apos;s demographic details, presenting symptoms, previous admission details, current MA and other substance use information, and DSM-IV diagnosis. Results: A total of 235 forms were completed. Most patients were male (69%) and the mean age was 25 years. The most common presenting symptoms were aggressive behaviour (74%), followed by delusions (59%) and hallucinations (57%). Males were two times more likely to present with aggression as compared to females, while females were significantly more likely to present with depressed mood or euphoric/elevated mood. The majority of patients had substance-induced psychotic disorder (41%), followed by schizophrenia (31%). Twelve percent (12%) had bipolar mood disorder. Conclusion: MA-related psychiatric admissions pose serious challenges to all health services dealing with these patients. Further training and treatment protocol development and distribution is indicated.

• 出版日期2013-1