Frequency of osteoporosis in 46 men with methamphetamine abuse hospitalized in a National Hospital.
BACKGROUND
Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, has been well known to cause mental problems in humans; however, its physical effects are little known. Despite relevant information on the effect of methamphetamine abuse on bone quality being available, data regarding the frequency of osteoporosis in methamphetamine abusers are limited.


METHODS
We selected 46 hospitalized male methamphetamine abusers and 188 reference male controls in whom any conditions affecting bone metabolism were ruled out. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We compared the BMD between methamphetamine abusers and controls and evaluated the frequency of osteoporosis in both groups.


RESULTS
The mean BMD value was lower in methamphetamine abusers (mean+/-SD, 0.71+/-0.07 g/cm(2)) than in the controls (mean+/-SD, 0.98+/-0.14 g/cm(2)). The frequency of osteoporosis was 22% according to WHO diagnostic guidelines, and osteopenia at the lumbar spine was 76%. The correlation between the extent of methamphetamine abuse and BMD was very clear.


CONCLUSIONS
There was considerable loss of bone mineral in a high percentage of methamphetamine abusers. Our study is the first clinical study to determine the frequency of osteoporosis in male methamphetamine abusers.
Kim
Eun Young
EY
Department of Psychiatry, Bugok National Hospital, 70 Bugok-ri, Bugok-myun, Changyeong-gun, Kyungnam 635-893, Republic of Korea.
Kwon
Do Hoon
DH
Lee
Byung Dae
BD
Kim
Yang Tae
YT
Ahn
Young Bok
YB
Yoon
Kuee Young
KY
Sa
Sok Jin
SJ
Cho
Woong
W
Cho
Sung Nam
SN
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine