Impact of comorbid substance use and infectious and non-communicable diseases in a cross-sectional study, Thailand

ABSTRACT

Background

Substance use has been recognized as increasing risk for concomitant infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which has contributed to poor treatment outcomes and a social burden, particularly in low-middle income countries. This study aimed at investigating effects of comorbid substance use and infectious and NCDs on psychological, suicidal behaviors and cognitive assessments.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 141 participants were recruited from six wards in one rehabilitation center and data consisting of demographic and personal characteristics and three self-administered instruments were obtained. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis.

Results

Findings showed that participants’ age and reasons for hospitalization were significantly related to comorbid substance use, χ²(48) = 97.348, p < .05, and χ²(60) = 84.790, p < .05, respectively. Compared with methamphetamine dependence, participants with concomitant methamphetamine psychosis were five times more likely to develop severe anxiety disorders (OR = 5.00, 95% CI = 1.16–21.45) but there were no significant differences for suicidal behaviors and cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

Because of severe anxiety symptoms, treatment for users with comorbid methamphetamine and psychosis should be closely monitored to increase therapeutic effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Infectious diseases
• non-communicable diseases
• cognitive impairment
• suicidal behaviors
• psychological disorders

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).