Methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: data from the national biological sample and data repository for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH Biobank)

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study compares the clinical and haemodynamic severity of methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (MA-PAH) with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and connective tissue-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH). It also examines sex differences in clinical and physiological parameters among those with MA-PAH.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study using clinically derived data from the National Biological Sample and Data Repository for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH biobank), a US-based registry, to compare clinical and physiological characteristics between males and females with MA-PAH.PopulationThe analysis included 1830 patients enrolled in the PAH biobank, with a diagnosis of MA-PAH (n=42), IPAH (n=1073), or CTD-PAH (n=715).Main outcome measuresThe study assessed and compared the clinical and haemodynamic parameters of patients with MA-PAH, IPAH and CTD-PAH.ResultsAmong the patients analysed, 42 had MA-PAH, with 69.1% being female. There were no statistically significant differences in functional class among patients with MA-PAH, IPAH and CTD-PAH. The per cent predicted 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was comparable between the three groups. Patients with MA-PAH had similar mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance to patients with IPAH but higher compared with patients with CTD-PAH. Male patients with MA-PAH exhibited a worse functional class and lower per cent predicted 6MWD, but no significant differences in haemodynamic findings were observed between the sexes.ConclusionThere were no differences in haemodynamic between MA-PAH and IPAH but we found that MA-PAH differed from CTD-PAH. The study did not find evidence of sex differences in MA-PAH. Further research is necessary to identify risk factors and underlying mechanisms of MA-PAH, particularly considering the increasing prevalence of methamphetamine use. Such investigations will contribute to the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for this condition.

Trends in peripheral artery disease and critical limb ischemia hospitalizations among cocaine and methamphetamine users in the United States: a nationwide study

“…Despite tremendous efforts to legalize some drugs and stem the availability of illegal drugs, substance use is rising. Methamphetamine and cocaine use are strongly associated with ASCVD development and progression ( 10 , 14 , 15 ). Yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive ( 16 ).…”