Methamphetamine users had a greater risk of hospitalization for pneumonia and acute respiratory failure, according to a meta-analysis. Women who used meth also had a greater risk of acute exacerbation of COPD, compared to non-meth users.
For methamphetamine users vs. nonusers, the rate ratio for having a principal hospital discharge abstract for acute pneumonia was 1.4 in women and 1.18 in men. Similarly, the rate ratio for having a discharge diagnosis of acute respiratory failure among methamphetamine users vs. nonusers was 1.77 for women and 1.24 for men.
“While future investigation is warranted, this finding may help to further characterize the pulmonary toxicity of methamphetamine,” researchers concluded.
Source: Healio Pulmonology
