Journal ArticleDOI
Rates, characteristics and circumstances of methamphetamine-related death in Australia: a national 7-year study.
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TLDR
While toxicity was the most frequent cause, natural disease, suicide and accident comprised more than half of deaths, and methamphetamine death rates doubled in Australia from 2009 to 2015.Abstract:
Aims
To (1) assess trends in the number and mortality rates of methamphetamine-related death in Australia, 2009–15; (2) assess the characteristics and the cause, manner and circumstances of death; and (3) assess the blood methamphetamine concentrations and the presence of other drugs in methamphetamine-related death.
Design
Analysis of cases of methamphetamine-related death retrieved from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS).
Setting
Australia.
Cases
All cases in which methamphetamine was coded in the NCIS database as a mechanism contributing to death (n = 1649).
Measurements
Information was collected on cause and manner of death, demographics, location, circumstances of death and toxicology.
Findings
The mean age of cases was 36.9 years, and 78.4% were male. The crude mortality rate was 1.03 per 100 000. The rate increased significantly over time (P < 0.001), and at 2015 the mortality rate was 1.8 [confidence interval (CI) = 1.2–2.4] times that of 2009. Deaths were due to accidental drug toxicity (43.2%), natural disease (22.3%), suicide (18.2%), other accident (14.9%) and homicide (1.5%). In 40.8% of cases, death occurred outside the major capital cities. The median blood methamphetamine concentration was 0.17 mg/l, and cases in which only methamphetamine was detected had higher concentrations than other cases (0.30 versus 0.15 mg/l, P < 0.001). The median blood methamphetamine concentration varied within a narrow range (0.15–0.20 mg/l) across manner of death. In the majority (82.8%) of cases, substances other than methamphetamine were detected, most frequently opioids (43.1%) and hypnosedatives (38.0%).
Conclusions
Methamphetamine death rates doubled in Australia from 2009 to 2015. While toxicity was the most frequent cause, natural disease, suicide and accident comprised more than half of deaths.read more
Citations
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Mortality and causes of death among people who inject amphetamine: a long-term follow-up cohort study from a needle exchange program in Sweden.
TL;DR: People injecting amphetamine as a primary drug were found to have significantly elevated mortality compared with the general population, with high rates of both external and somatic causes of death.
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Characteristics and circumstances of death related to new psychoactive stimulants and hallucinogens in Australia
TL;DR: Delirium was the most frequently reported clinical sign proximal to death and was strongly associated with the phenethylamines, and Cathinones were the most commonly detected of the new psychoactive stimulants and hallucinogens.
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Psychostimulant Use and Fatal Stroke in Young Adults.
Shane Darke,Johan Duflou,Johan Duflou,Sharlene Kaye,Michael Farrell,Julia Lappin,Julia Lappin +6 more
TL;DR: The work illustrates the substantial role of psychostimulant use in fatal strokes among young adults and suggests that in cases of hemorrhagic stroke among young adult, psychostIMULant use should be considered.
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Clinical and Autopsy Characteristics of Fatal Methamphetamine Toxicity in Australia
TL;DR: The clinical picture was of a sudden cardiac event in a middle‐aged man with a high methamphetamine concentration, and cardiovascular signs of heavy methamphetamine use are frequently seen.
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Smartphone Apps About Crystal Methamphetamine ("Ice"): Systematic Search in App Stores and Assessment of Composition and Quality.
Cath Chapman,Katrina E. Champion,Katrina E. Champion,Louise Birrell,Hannah Deen,Mary-Ellen Brierley,Lexine Stapinski,Frances Kay-Lambkin,Frances Kay-Lambkin,Nicola C. Newton,Maree Teesson +10 more
TL;DR: A shortage of high-quality educational and engaging smartphone apps specifically related to methamphetamine is demonstrated, highlighting a need for further development of engaging and evidence-based apps that provide educational information about crystal methamphetamine.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
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TL;DR: The current public image of methamphetamine does not portray adequately the extensive, and in many cases insidious, harms caused.