Ketamine abuse may lead to LUTS, sexual dysfunction

Excessive use of ketamine appears to result in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD), suggests a recent study.

This cross-sectional study included female ketamine abusers (KAs) aged ≥18 years, who were asked to complete anonymous questionnaires during an educational course provided by the departments of substance control and prevention of the local government or under the instruction of medical providers at a urology clinic.

Finally, the authors measured the following outcomes: history of illicit drug use, FSD symptoms, and LUTS severity.

Of the 139 women included (median age 27.08 years), 104 were street KAs and 35 were hospital KAs. Majority of the participants (76 percent) experienced FSD, but significantly more hospital KAs reported having FSD than street KAs (97 percent vs 68 percent; p<0.001).

LUTS (Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index [ICSI] + Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index [ICPI] ≥12) was significantly associated with an increased risk for FSD in KAs. Notably, more hospital KAs reported experiencing LUTS than street KAs (71 percent vs 8 percent; p<0.001).

Additionally, longer duration of ketamine use (≥36 months) and mild-to-severe psychological symptoms (5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale ≥6) significantly predicted LUTS.

“Sexual problems among KAs should not be overlooked since more severe sexual dysfunction was observed in patients reporting LUTS,” said the authors, noting that the use of self-report questionnaires limited this study due to its subjective nature and susceptibility to human errors and recall biases.