Mortality among amphetamine users: a systematic review of cohort studies.
OBJECTIVE
To report the results of a comprehensive literature search of studies of mortality among people who use amphetamines.


METHODS
Three electronic databases were searched (EMBASE, Medline and PsycINFO) and "grey" literature was located. Shortlists of papers were circulated to experts to ascertain whether any important papers had been missed. Papers were hand-searched to retrieve any additional relevant articles.


METHODS
Studies meeting inclusion criteria were prospective cohort studies examining mortality risk among dependent and problematic amphetamine users. Crude mortality rates (CMR/100PY) and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were the primary outcome measures considered. Data on overall mortality, and rates for specific causes of death, were of interest.


RESULTS
2187 articles and 9 grey literature sources were obtained. After thorough review, 72 articles were identified as reporting on amphetamine-related mortality, 7 provided data from cohort studies of users. An additional study of Swedish military conscripts was identified by the authors during correspondence with other researchers. The geographic spread of cohorts was restricted to high income countries with the exception of one Thai study; reporting of standard parameters in mortality studies was often sparse. The estimated CMRs ranged from 0 in Australia to 2.95 (1.46-4.59) in Thailand. The Czech cohort reported the only SMR: 6.22 overall, males: 5.87, females: 7.84.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the widespread use of amphetamines, the known non-fatal adverse effects of use and the mortality rates reported here, cohort studies investigating the morbidity and mortality associated with such drug use should be a research priority.
Singleton
Jessica
J
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Degenhardt
Louisa
L
Hall
Wayne
W
Zabransky
Tomas
T
D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male