title: Gender differences in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of methamphetamine inpatients in a Chinese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the past two decades, China has experienced a dramatic increase in methamphetamine (MA) abuse. This study examined gender-specific socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of MA use among Han Chinese, which has previously received little systematic study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This analysis described MA-related socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in a broad cross-sectional sample (n=1464; male/female=1185/279), and examined differences between males and females in MA use history, MA initiation, MA-related subjective feelings and behaviors, and withdrawal symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most MA abusers (about 72%) were young (in their 20s or 30s), with women being 5 years younger than men on average. More males (33.2%) were married than females (21.9%). The average body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in this MA abuser sample compared to the age-matched healthy controls. Moreover, the BMI of females was significantly lower than that of males. The laboratory tests showed that the blood levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride were all significantly higher in males than females. Females used MA at a younger age compared to males. The most frequent route of MA use was smoking (90.9%). Males were more likely to use another drug, and more likely to be hospitalized. However, many characteristics and behaviors of MA use are similar for males and females, including the route, the dose and duration of MA use, and relapse status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there were some male-female similarities in MA use parameters, significant differences do exist that may have implications for gender-specific research as well as for prevention and treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China.
authors.forename: Jincai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jingyan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Wenxiu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shengzhen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Jiajia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hailing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Feixue
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jiahong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Linjing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuanling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kosten
authors.forename: Xiang Yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine