Recreational ketamine use can lead to irreversible bladder damage.
The New Zealand medical journal April 12, 2024 DOI: 10.26635/6965.6357 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA growing number of young patients in New Zealand are being treated for severe bladder overactivity syndrome linked to recreational ketamine use. While ketamine bladder syndrome has been reported internationally, no local data had existed before this work. The condition can cause irreversible bladder damage, and surgical procedures such as cystectomy, urinary diversion, or augmentation cystoplasty have been necessary in some cases internationally.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Young patients with severe bladder overactivity syndrome potentially caused by recreational ketamine use in New Zealand |
| Keywords | Ketamine abuse Bladder damage Drug complications Urinary dysfunction Recreational drugs |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Ketamine bladder syndrome, which can lead to irreversible bladder damage and may require surgical intervention, is being seen in young New Zealand patients, though local data had been absent. |
Abstract
An increasing number of young patients with severe bladder overactivity syndrome potentially caused by recreational ketamine use has been treated in our department. Ketamine has become a popular and increasingly used recreational drug in New Zealand. Ketamine bladder syndrome has been reported internationally; however, local New Zealand data do not exist. It can lead to irreversible damage to the bladder, and internationally, surgical procedures like cystectomy and urinary diversion or augmentation cystoplasty have been reported as necessary treatments.