Citation

Plüddemann A, Dada S, Parry CD, Kader R, Parker JS, Temmingh H, van Heerden S, de Clercq C, Lewis I. Afr. J. Psychiatry 2013; 16(1): 45-49.

Affiliation

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, African Association of Psychiatrists and Allied Professionals, Publisher In House Publications)

DOI

10.4314/ajpsy.v16i1.8

PMID

23417636

Abstract

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'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.

Language: en