A transcultural pattern of drug use: Qat (khat) in the UK

Griffiths, Paul; Gossop, Michael; Wickenden, Simon; Dunworth, John; Harris, Ken; Lloyd, Charlie

doi:10.1192/bjp.170.3.281

Cited by 112 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Data on the prevalence of khat chewing in the Western world are limited, and most studies are conducted in the United Kingdom. Griffiths et al 23 reported that 78% of a Somali study population (N=207) in London were using khat. Patel 24 reported that 83% of Somali immigrants residing in 4 cities in England used khat during their lifetime and that 34% used khat in the month before interview.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Khat Chewingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Khat Chewing With Increased Risk of Stroke and Death in Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Ali

Zubaid

Al‐Motarreb

et al. 2010

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

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Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of khat chewing in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). From January 29, 2007, through July 29, 2007 consecutive patients presenting with ACS were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter study from 6 adjacent Middle Eastern countries. Patients and MethOds:Results: Of the 8176 study patients, 7242 (88.6%) were nonkhat chewers, and 934 (11.4%) were khat chewers, mainly of Yemeni origin. Khat chewers were older (57 vs 56 years; p=.01) and more likely to be men (85.7% vs 74.5%) compared with non-khat chewers. Non-khat chewers were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and prior history of coronary artery disease and revascularization. Cigarette smoking was more prevalent in khat chewers, and they were more likely to present greater than 12 hours after onset of symptoms compared with non-khat chewers. At admission, khat chewers had higher heart rate, Killip class, and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk scores. Khat chewers had a significantly higher risk of cardiogenic shock, stroke, and mortality. After adjustment of baseline variables, khat chewing was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.7; p<.001) and stroke (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-5.9; p=.01).cOnclusiOn: In this large cohort of patients with ACS, khat chewing was prevalent and was associated with increased risk of stroke and death. In the context of increasing global migration, a greater awareness of potential widespread practices is essential. Mayo

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Section: Prevalence Of Khat Chewingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Khat Chewing With Increased Risk of Stroke and Death in Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Ali

Zubaid

Al‐Motarreb

et al. 2010

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

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“…In Griffiths and colleagues' study (Griffiths, 1998;Griffiths et al, 1997), trained Somali interviewers used an ad-hoc structured interview to ask 207 Somalis living in London about khat intake and associated symptoms. Among khat users (n = 161), 19 % reported paranoia (acute paranoia: 4 %) and 14 % reported hallucinations (2 %) after khat chewing at any time in their lives.…”

Section: (B) Can Khat Induce Clinically Relevant Short-lived Psychotmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects

Odenwald¹

2007

SUCHT

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Aims: In recent decades, the traditional habit of chewing the khat leaves, which contain the amphetamine-like cathinone, has undergone profound changes in African and Arab countries, from a socially regulated use pattern to uncontrolled consumption. This is of special public mental-health concern. In this article, a review of the scientific literature on the relationship between khat use and psychosis is provided. Results: Several case studies, but only a few group and community-based studies, have addressed this topic. The studies show inconsistent results, have methodological problems, and fail to report quantitative results. Many important questions remain unaddressed. Conclusions: The frequently stated association between khat use and psychosis contrasts with the small number of sound studies. Currently, only a few conclusions can be drawn, that excessive khat use can cause brief psychotic disorders and that people with a preexisting vulnerability should be discouraged to use it. The direction of causality between general psychopathology and khat use remains unclear. This review confirms the need for quantitative, controlled, and longitudinal studies,

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“…There is much bravado surrounding its consumption, and it is common to hear young chewers boast how they chew mpaka che ('until dawn' in Kiswahili). For those with work, chewing tends to fit around work hours, and is often limited to the weekend: indeed, employment seems to be a major factor in when and how often people chew, and the notion that Somalis in the diaspora chew more than they did in Somalia is probably explained by high rates of unemployment in the diaspora rather than the breakdown of 'traditional' cultural restraints, a hypothesis suggested by some (Griffiths et al 1997). For others, chewing can fill any time they have free providing they can afford some khat (and some varieties are cheap in Kenya) or obtain some from friends.…”

Section: Khat In the Western Indian Oceanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Khat in the Western Indian Ocean

Carrier¹,

Gezon²

2009

oceanindien

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This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via Revues at http://oceanindien.revues.org/851. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol -Explore Bristol Research General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available:

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A transcultural pattern of drug use: Qat (khat) in the UK

Cited by 112 publications

References 6 publications

Association of Khat Chewing With Increased Risk of Stroke and Death in Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Association of Khat Chewing With Increased Risk of Stroke and Death in Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects

Khat in the Western Indian Ocean

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