title: Lower urinary tract changes in young adults using ketamine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We identified the profile of lower urinary tract changes in ketamine users in the community. In addition, we identified the relative risks of dose, frequency of ingestion and duration of ketamine use for changes in lower urinary tract function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mobile medical assessment service was established at specific youth centers, and subjects who were known to social workers and who had a history of ketamine use were invited to participate in health screening. Lower urinary tract function was evaluated using the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire, and uroflowmetry and ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of ketamine more than 3 times weekly was significantly associated with lower voided volumes. Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire scores were significantly higher for ketamine use for more than 24 months compared to use for short durations (7.82 vs 6.00). The scores on the symptom and bother subscales of the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire decreased progressively with increased duration of abstinence. For individuals after 1 year of abstinence the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire scores were significantly lower and voided volumes were higher than those for active users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ketamine users with at least a 2-year habit of 3 or more hits per week have altered bladder function that can be recognized and that causes bother. These early functional changes have the potential to normalize after 1 year of ketamine abstinence. This study provides a basis for the development of health promotion material that can be used in the community by welfare workers seeking to encourage drug cessation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, North District Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. maksk@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: M T Y
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: S K H
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: S S M
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: B B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Man
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007649:Ketamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007649:Ketamine