Amphetamine use and psychiatric admissions: a 10-year perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Public Health and Epidemiology
• Substance Use Disorders

Background:

• Amphetamine use is a growing public health concern, leading to significant healthcare utilization.
• Understanding trends and patient characteristics associated with amphetamine-related diagnoses (ARD) is crucial for effective resource allocation.
• Predictors of repeated hospital admissions among individuals with ARD require investigation to inform targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the 10-year trend in hospital admissions linked to amphetamine use.
• To identify demographic, diagnostic, and service use characteristics distinguishing individuals with ARD.
• To determine factors predicting recurrent admissions in patients diagnosed with ARD.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study design was employed.
• Analysis included counting admissions with ARD and evaluating trends over time.
• Univariate and multivariate statistical tests compared patient groups and identified predictors of admission frequency.

Main Results:

• Admissions associated with amphetamine use demonstrated an increasing trend between 2009 and 2015.
• Individuals with ARD exhibited significant differences in demographics, diagnoses, and service utilization patterns compared to those without ARD.
• Among patients with ARD, a diagnosis of schizophrenia was positively associated with higher admission numbers, while transient psychotic disorder was inversely associated.

Conclusions:

• The rise in amphetamine-related admissions signifies substantial demand on inpatient services.
• Interventions focused on amphetamine treatment for individuals with psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and transient psychotic disorders, may lower hospital costs and readmission rates.
• Further research into tailored treatment strategies for specific psychiatric comorbidities in ARD patients is warranted.