Sex Differences in Methamphetamine Use and Dependence in a Thai Treatment Center

Abstract

Background and Objective Males and females who use methamphetamine (MA) differ in socio-demographics, MA diagnoses, co-morbidities, and brain activity. The objective of this study was to investigate sex differences in the characteristics of MA use and dependence in patients at a Thai substance treatment center. Methods Demographic, MA use, and diagnostic data for 782 MA users were obtained by using the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA), Thai version. Categorical comparisons of males (n=413, 53%) and females (n=369, 47%) were made by chi-square test. Factors significantly differentiating men and women with respect to MA dependence were identified by logistic regression analysis controlling for demographic, diagnostic, and MA use variables. Results Males admitted to residential drug treatment for MA use had an earlier age of onset for both MA use (17.7±4.1 vs. 19.7±6.2 years, t=-5.3, p<0.001) and dependence (20.4±5.2 vs. 22.2±6.4 years, t=-3.6, p<0.001). Females were more likely than males to be MA dependent (79% vs. 60%, χ21=33.7, p<0.001), and to experience MA withdrawal (65.3% vs. 48.9%, χ21=21.4, p<0.001), withdrawal related hypersomnia (77.2% vs. 64.8%, χ21=14.5, p<0.001), fatigue (77.5% vs. 70.3%, χ21=5.2, p=0.02) and psychomotor retardation (64.5% vs. 57.0%, χ21=4.5, p=0.03). Similarly, females had heavier (e.g., largest daily amount (χ21=12.4, p<0.001), more frequent (χ21 =5.1, p=0.02)) and greater lifetime episodes of MA use (χ21=24.1, p<0.001) than males. After controlling for such variables by logistic regression, being female remained a significant factor influencing the occurrence of MA dependence (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.8-4.1, p<0.001). Shared associated factors (or comorbidities) for MA dependence in both sexes included nicotine dependence (in males; OR=4.1, 95% CI=2.4-7.0, p<0.001 and in females; OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.3-4.4, p=0.007), greater lifetime episodes of MA use (in males; OR=3.5, 95% CI=1.9-6.4, p<0.001 and in females; OR=5.9, 95% CI=3.1-11.4, p<0.001) and more frequent use (in males; OR=5.1, 95% CI=2.8-9.1, p<0.001 and in females; OR=3.6, 95% CI=1.9-6.9, p<0.001). Comorbid antisocial personality disorder predicted MA dependence in males only (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.6-8.6, p=0.002). Conclusions The current study highlights both common (e.g., nicotine dependence and severity of MA use) and sex-specific differences (e.g., MA use/dependence characteristics and comorbidities), including sex itself, with respect to MA dependence in a Thai treatment cohort.

Associations of childhood experiences and methamphetamine use among Akha and Lahu hill tribe youths in northern Thailand: A cross-sectional study

“…In our study, it was found that males had a significantly greater risk of using MA than females, which is consistent with a study conducted in Myanmar, which reported that males had a greater prevalence of MA users than females [29]. However, Dluzen et al [30] and Rungnirundorn et al [31] reported that females were more likely to be MA users and significantly more likely to be MA-dependent than males. This might be because in the culture of the Akha and Lahu hill tribe people, males dominate all activities at the family and community levels; therefore, males could expose to and use MA more than females [24].…”

A Spontaneous Mutation in Taar1 Impacts Methamphetamine-Related Traits Exclusively in DBA/2 Mice from a Single Vendor

“…When a difference has been found, females have consumed more MA than males and the difference has been of about the same magnitude as reported here. A recent study in humans, including 413 males and 369 females who use MA, reported that females had heavier, more frequent and greater lifetime episodes of MA use and were more likely to be MA-dependent and to experience withdrawal than males (Rungnirundorn et al, 2017 ). Although there is some evidence for more MA intake in females in the rodent studies, the sex effect has been modest.…”

Dependence, withdrawal and rebound of CNS drugs: an update and regulatory considerations for new drugs development

“…There are limited human data available regarding difference in severity of withdrawal symptoms by sex; some studies discuss this topic for different pharmacological groups ( Agrawal et al , 2008 ; Copersino et al , 2010 ; Chen et al , 2014 ; Chartier et al , 2015 ; Herrmann et al , 2015 ; Cuttler et al , 2016 ; Rungnirundorn et al , 2017 ).…”