In recent years, the American West has witnessed a concerning trend in the surge of hospital admissions for cardiomyopathy associated with methamphetamine use. According to a study analyzing 13 years of data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), the admissions for methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy soared by 231% between 2008 and 2020. This stark increase far outpaced the overall admissions for heart failure, which only rose by 12% during the same period.
The study conducted by Mohammad Bhuiyan, PhD, and his colleagues at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, revealed significant disparities in methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy admissions across various demographic groups. The data showed a staggering 345% increase in admissions for men and a 122% increase for women. In terms of race, the numbers were equally alarming, with admissions skyrocketing by 271% for white individuals, 254% for Black individuals, 565% for Hispanic individuals, and a staggering 645% for Asian groups. Geographically, the Western region of the United States experienced a 530% increase in admissions, while southern states saw a 200% increase. Conversely, the Northeast showed no significant change in methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy admissions.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as “meth,” is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug that has been linked to various cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Despite its availability as a prescription drug for obesity and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, illegal versions of methamphetamine derived from over-the-counter drugs have contributed to the growing epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 1.6 million adults in the United States reported past-year methamphetamine use between 2015 and 2018.
The alarming rise in methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy admissions calls for immediate action from researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Cardiologist Nisha Parikh, MD, MPH, and her colleagues from the University of California San Francisco Health emphasized the urgency of addressing this growing epidemic. They underscored the need for targeted interventions, such as the development of pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD), and the recognition of the biases within the healthcare system towards patients with substance use disorders. Parikh and her team urged for innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to co-manage heart failure and MAUD, emphasizing the importance of specialized heart failure clinics that offer evidence-based behavioral treatments for MAUD.
While the NIS study provided valuable insights into the surge of methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy admissions, it had its limitations. The study lacked individual-level data and post-discharge information, and the authors were unsure of how individuals were diagnosed as methamphetamine users. The researchers called for further exploration to identify high-risk populations and develop strategies to prevent and mitigate cardiovascular diseases among methamphetamine users.
The rise of methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy in the American West is a pressing public health concern that demands immediate attention and comprehensive interventions to address the growing epidemic. By understanding the demographic disparities, underlying causes, and potential solutions, healthcare professionals and policymakers can work together to combat this alarming trend and improve outcomes for individuals affected by methamphetamine use.
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