FREQUENCY OF PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS IN METHAMPHETAMINE USERS

Objectives: To determine the frequency and severity of psychotic symptoms in users of methamphetamine. Study Design: Cross sectional analytic study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, from Aug 2018 to Jan 2019. Methodology: Sixteen to sixty years old patients already using methamphetamine for at least 1 month were included in this study. Purposive non-probability sampling technique was used. A total of 134 patients of methamphetamine use were studied after consent, using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Data was entered in a specially designed semi structured proforma. The data was analysed by using One Way Anova Calculator. Results: Psychotic symptoms were found in 42 (31.3%) enrolled patients in our study. Out of 134 patients 63 (47%) were >25 years and 71 (53%) were < 25 years of age. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that a significant proportion of methamphetamine users had psychotic symptoms. A strategy should be made to promote awareness in population about harmful consequences of methamphetamine use, timely identification of psychosis in its users and their rehabilitation.