TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and management of lower urinary tract symptoms in methamphetamine abusers
T2 - An under-recognized clinical identity
AU - Koo, Kyo Chul
AU - Lee, Dong Hoon
AU - Kim, Jang Hwan
AU - Rha, Koon Ho
AU - Chung, Byung Ha
AU - Hong, Sung Joon
AU - Mah, Sang Yol
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - Purpose We investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in a cohort of methamphetamine abusers, and assess the therapeutic efficacy of α-blockers and anticholinergics. Materials and Methods From May 2011 to March 2013, 78 male methamphetamine abusers diagnosed with methamphetamine addiction were identified at the National Forensic Hospital, Korea. The I-PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) with consultation was used to investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, defined as total I-PSS 8 or greater and quality of life index score of 2 or greater. These values for methamphetamine abusers were compared to those of 71 age matched controls. α-Blockers and anticholinergics were administered to methamphetamine abusers with lower urinary tract symptoms according to predominant voiding and storage symptoms based on voiding-to-storage subscore ratios. For methamphetamine abusers with no response, defined as a reduction of 4 or less in total I-PSS, an alternative drug or combination was administered. Efficacy was assessed based on a 4-week interval. Results The median periods of methamphetamine abuse and abstinence were 18.1 years and 5.7 months, respectively. Methamphetamine abusers showed a higher prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms compared to controls (77% vs 15%, p <0.001), with higher I-PSS and quality of life index score (13.3 vs 5.6 and 2.9 vs 0.9, respectively; p <0.001). Anticholinergics showed the greatest effect on I-PSS reduction with overall response rates for α-blockers, anticholinergics and combinations of 13%, 61% and 14%, respectively. Seven (12%) methamphetamine abusers did not respond to any therapy. Conclusions Lower urinary tract symptoms were highly prevalent among methamphetamine abusers. Our results imply that pathological dopaminergic mechanisms have a role in methamphetamine associated lower urinary tract symptoms. Moreover, first line anticholinergics and prompt combination with α-blockers conferred the most therapeutic benefit to nonresponders.
AB - Purpose We investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in a cohort of methamphetamine abusers, and assess the therapeutic efficacy of α-blockers and anticholinergics. Materials and Methods From May 2011 to March 2013, 78 male methamphetamine abusers diagnosed with methamphetamine addiction were identified at the National Forensic Hospital, Korea. The I-PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) with consultation was used to investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, defined as total I-PSS 8 or greater and quality of life index score of 2 or greater. These values for methamphetamine abusers were compared to those of 71 age matched controls. α-Blockers and anticholinergics were administered to methamphetamine abusers with lower urinary tract symptoms according to predominant voiding and storage symptoms based on voiding-to-storage subscore ratios. For methamphetamine abusers with no response, defined as a reduction of 4 or less in total I-PSS, an alternative drug or combination was administered. Efficacy was assessed based on a 4-week interval. Results The median periods of methamphetamine abuse and abstinence were 18.1 years and 5.7 months, respectively. Methamphetamine abusers showed a higher prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms compared to controls (77% vs 15%, p <0.001), with higher I-PSS and quality of life index score (13.3 vs 5.6 and 2.9 vs 0.9, respectively; p <0.001). Anticholinergics showed the greatest effect on I-PSS reduction with overall response rates for α-blockers, anticholinergics and combinations of 13%, 61% and 14%, respectively. Seven (12%) methamphetamine abusers did not respond to any therapy. Conclusions Lower urinary tract symptoms were highly prevalent among methamphetamine abusers. Our results imply that pathological dopaminergic mechanisms have a role in methamphetamine associated lower urinary tract symptoms. Moreover, first line anticholinergics and prompt combination with α-blockers conferred the most therapeutic benefit to nonresponders.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84893830514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84893830514&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.juro.2013.08.020
DO - 10.1016/j.juro.2013.08.020
M3 - Article
C2 - 23968967
AN - SCOPUS:84893830514
VL - 191
SP - 722
EP - 726
JO - Journal of Urology
JF - Journal of Urology
SN - 0022-5347
IS - 3
ER -