[Perforated peptic ulcer: is the form of methamphetamine known as "crystal meth" a new risk factor?]

The emergence of new synthetic drugs related to peptic ulcer perforation has been reported. Recently an increase in the use of inhaled methamphetamine has been observed and we have described an association of frequent use with peptic disease symptomatology and perforation.

To determine whether methamphetamine use is a factor related to peptic acid disease and perforation and to establish its demographic variables.

A retrospective, comparative, descriptive, and observational study was carried out through the evaluation of medical records of patients admitted to the Surgery Service with perforated ulcer, within the time frame of January 2002 to March 2005. A descriptive analysis was carried out, along with the Z test, odds ratio, confidence interval, p value and the Student's t test.

Forty-two patients were divided into 2 groups: methamphetamine users (n=25) and nonusers (n=17). There was a statistically significant difference in relation to age, which was lower in the methamphetamine user group (38,7 years vs 58,88 years, p=0.0001). In addition, there was a trend in the user group to develop peptic ulcer perforation at earlier ages compared with the nonuser group (p=0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in regard to clinical presentation.

Methamphetamine use is related to ulcer perforation in age groups of younger patients when compared with nonuser patients.