A retrospective chart review of trends and clinical characteristics of patients with amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder in a tertiary care center of Mumbai

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to understand the sociodemographic and clinical profile of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) abusers seeking treatment from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review at deaddiction outpatient department of a tertiary care center in Mumbai using semi-structured printed proformas of the cases presenting with ATS use during the study period. Results: The sample consisted predominantly of single males from lower socioeconomic strata of society, mainly comprising of students with a mean age of 21.66 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.699), with mean age of onset of ATS use being 17.35 (SD = 2.361). The mean duration of ATS consumption was 2.50 months (SD = 1.766) and the mean quantity of consumption in grams was 28.16 (SD = 20.599). Comorbid substance use was present in 80.9% of cases. A comparison was made between patients who presented with ATS use only (A) and ATS-dependent individuals who also used other psychoactive substances (AP). The mean age in years of (A) was lower 19.31 (SD = 4.47) as compared to AP Group 22.22 (SD = 4.61). The (A) Group had significantly longer mean duration of ATS use (3.15 vs. 2.35 months, t = 1.498, P = 0.006), higher number of students as compared to AP Group (69.2% vs. 41.8%, P = 0.07) and significantly more number of patients from ATS only (A) Group presenting with intoxication as compared to AP Group (38.5% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.044). Conclusions: ATS which are recently introduced drugs in the market have serious health consequences, and its abuse is more common in young, single male students from lower socioeconomic status who have comorbid substance use leading to adverse life events.