Past Issues

Objective: In this study, we intended to determine the prevalence of common mental disorder (probable CMD) in ketamine users in Taiwan and identify whether factors including cognitive and urinary impairments developed over the course of ketamine use were correlated with probable CMD. Methods: Through a cross-sectional study design, 538 participants (115 women and 423 men) were recruited from reformatory educational classes in Taiwan. We used the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire to evaluate probable CMD. Furthermore, we designed a copy of questionnaire regarding ketamine use including questions related to age at first contact with ketamine, ketamine use expenses per month, intervals of use, route, concomitant substance use, legal problems, as well as cognitive and urinary impairments developed over the course of ketamine use. The relationships between ketamine use, physical health, concomitant substance use, cognitive impairments, urinary impairments, and probable CMD were examined using logistic regression analysis. Results: In this study, the prevalence of probable CMD among ketamine users in Taiwan was 19.7%. We found that poor physical health (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001 for all kinds of severity), comorbid sedatives or hypnotic use (p < 0.01), and moderate cognitive impairments (p < 0.05) significantly developed after ketamine use were all independent factors correlated with probable CMD. But urinary impairments developed after ketamine use did not show any significant difference in regression analysis when considering other confounding factors. Conclusion: We suggest that an early survey of physical health, concomitant use of sedatives or hypnotics, and cognitive impairment can detect mental health problems among ketamine users.