The epidemiology of amphetamine type stimulant-related admissions in Albany, Western Australia: 2008-2013. 2015

Kelly Ridley, and Mathew Coleman
Resident Medical Officer, Albany Health Campus, Albany, WA Australia Kelly.Ridley@health.wa.gov.au.

OBJECTIVE To explore the epidemiology of amphetamine type stimulant (ATS)-related admissions over six years in a regional centre, and to observe changes over time and compare demographics to national trends. METHODS A retrospective audit of patients admitted with an International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) code relating to ATS use from 2008 to 2013 at Albany Health Campus. Age, gender and reason for admission were compared across each year, including repeat presentations. Concomitant codes during admission were noted. RESULTS One hundred and fifty two ATS-related hospital episodes were identified during the study period, 55% male and 45% female, with an age range from 16 to 50. Admission numbers increased over time. Patients with multiple admissions made up 35% of episodes. The most common reasons for admission were harmful use (F15.1) and psychotic disorder (F15.5). Sixty-nine percent of admissions had a concomitant ICD-10 code for mental health, 18% another medical code and 28% another factor influencing health status. CONCLUSIONS The number of recognised ATS-related presentations is increasing at Albany Health Campus. A broad age range and comparatively high proportion of women were hospitalised. These patients have complex needs and many had multiple ATS-related admissions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010343 Patient Admission The process of accepting patients. The concept includes patients accepted for medical and nursing care in a hospital or other health care institution. Voluntary Admission,Admission, Patient,Admission, Voluntary,Admissions, Patient,Admissions, Voluntary,Patient Admissions,Voluntary Admissions
D011605 Psychoses, Substance-Induced Psychotic organic mental disorders resulting from the toxic effect of drugs and chemicals or other harmful substance. Psychoses, Drug,Psychoses, Toxic,Substance-Induced Psychoses,Toxic Psychoses,Drug Psychoses,Psychoses, Substance Induced,Substance Induced Psychoses
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013375 Substance Withdrawal Syndrome Physiological and psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal from the use of a drug after prolonged administration or habituation. The concept includes withdrawal from smoking or drinking, as well as withdrawal from an administered drug. Drug Withdrawal Symptoms,Withdrawal Symptoms,Drug Withdrawal Symptom,Substance Withdrawal Syndromes,Symptom, Drug Withdrawal,Symptom, Withdrawal,Symptoms, Drug Withdrawal,Symptoms, Withdrawal,Syndrome, Substance Withdrawal,Syndromes, Substance Withdrawal,Withdrawal Symptom,Withdrawal Symptom, Drug,Withdrawal Symptoms, Drug,Withdrawal Syndrome, Substance,Withdrawal Syndromes, Substance
D014904 Western Australia A state in western Australia. Its capital is Perth. It was first visited by the Dutch in 1616 but the English took possession in 1791 and permanent colonization began in 1829. It was a penal settlement 1850-1888, became part of the colonial government in 1886, and was granted self government in 1890. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p1329)

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