Development and Administration of a Skin Survey Questionnaire for Methamphetamine Users

Cutaneous complications of methamphetamine use are frequently under-recognized in clinical settings. Increased detection could facilitate the early identification of dermatologic issues and support a more holistic recovery process. This study aimed to develop and implement a skin survey questionnaire to identify common dermatologic conditions among individuals with methamphetamine use disorder. A novel skin survey was administered to 94 participants enrolled in a residential treatment program. The questionnaire included sliding-scale and dichotomous response items addressing skin appearance, symptoms, and behaviors. Participants reported a range of skin issues, including track marks (n = 21; 22.34%), hyperpigmentation (n = 18; 19.15%), and scarring (n = 16; 17.02%). Average sliding-scale scores indicated delayed wound healing (X̄ = 0.307), minimal itchiness (X̄ = 0.229), and nominal skin picking (X̄ = 0.185). Notably, 13.83% (n = 13) reported formication. Higher average skin symptom scores were significantly associated with younger age (p = 0.0499), female sex (p = 0.0462), and non-smoking routes of methamphetamine administration, particularly IV injection (p < 0.001). Duration of methamphetamine use was not significantly correlated with skin score. The survey effectively identified a variety of dermatologic symptoms associated with methamphetamine use, supporting its utility as a clinical screening tool in residential treatment settings. Further validation of the tool is recommended for broader implementation.