Pattern and related factors of cognitive impairment among chronic methamphetamine users.
OBJECTIVE
Methamphetamine (MA) use is increasingly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia and commonly associated with cognitive impairment. The present study estimated the characteristics of cognitive impairment and explored the associated potential factors among chronic MA users.


METHODS
The data were from the baseline visit of a longitudinal study among synthetic drug users. The baseline survey was conducted in detoxification and rehabilitation centers in Guangdong province, China, from September to December in 2013. A total of 528 participants were included in our analysis. Cognitive impairment was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Logistic regression was performed to explore the risk factors associated with cognitive impairment.


RESULTS
Approximately 69.89% of the study participants exhibited cognitive impairment according to MoCA scores. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that older age (≥30 years old), a longer duration of MA use (>24 months), and a higher frequency of MA use (everyday) were associated with cognitive impairment, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.34), 1.53 (95%CI: 1.01-2.31), and 1.55 (95%CI: 1.05-2.30), respectively. Methamphetamine users that had a higher level of education had a lower risk of cognitive impairment(OR = .59; 95%CI: .38-.93).


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive impairment occurred frequently among chronic MA users. The causal relationship between cognitive impairment and MA use needs to be ascertained in longitudinal studies in future work. Our study provides evidence for the development of intervention strategies for the prevention of MA use and associated cognitive impairment. (Am J Addict 2017;26:145-151).
Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Tong-Yu
TY
Wang
Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Teng-Teng
TT
Fan
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Yan-Ping
YP
Bao
Zhuhai Jinding Vocabulary Rehabilitation Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519085, China.
Xiao-Dong
XD
Li
Zhuhai Jinding Vocabulary Rehabilitation Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519085, China.
Chun-Mei
CM
Liang
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Ru-Jia
RJ
Wang
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Jun
J
Ma
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Ying
Y
Han
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Shi-Qiu
SQ
Meng
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Ping
P
Wu
National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Jie
J
Shi
Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.|Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
Lin
L
Lu
D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine