What Ketamine Does

Early Studies Reveal Significant Damage

The first two formal papers discussing ketamine induced bladder dysfunction were published in 2007. Clinicians from Toronto (Canada) described nine patients who were daily ketamine users and who presented with severe dysuria, frequency, urgency and gross hematuria. At cystoscopy, all patients had severe ulcerative cystitis (1). Clinicians in Hong Kong (China) shared a similar presentation of ten street ketamine users diagnosed with ulcerative cystitis (2).

In the first of three articles released in 2008, Drs. Colbunders and Van Erps (Belgium) described the case of a 20 year old man who presented with a seven month history of urinary frequency, nocturia, urgency and pain during urination, as well as episodes of severe bleeding from the bladder shortly after beginning recreational ketamine use. The researchers conclude “We expect that in the future an increasing number of cases of cystitis caused by ketamine use will be seen in young adults.” (3)

While addiction professionals acknowledged that ketamine use was associated with ulcerative colitis, (4) chronic pain specialists in Halifax (Canada) also revealed a case where a young pediatric patient was prescribed a oral medication as a adjuvant medication for chronic pain. After nine days on 8mg/kg per day of ketamine, she developed symptoms of dysuria, frequency, urgency and incontinence. “Her symptoms decreased after decreasing the dose of ketamine to 6mg/kg per day and completely disappeared at 2mg/kg/per day.” Upon increasing the dosage to 5mg/kg per day a few months later, the bladder symptoms returned and against resolved when the dosage was reduced. These researchers conclude that there is, indeed, a dose related effect of ketamine on the bladder mucosa. (5)

The largest study to date was released by researchers in Hong Kong in December 2008 as a follow up to their 2007 publication. They offer an alarming study of 59 ketamine users with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Patients had frequency rates from 15 to 90 minutes between voids. Functional voiding capacity was between 20-200 cc’s which represent a dramatic decrease in bladder capacity. Upon cystoscopy, 71% of these patients showed various degrees of bladder mucosal inflammation similar to that seen in interstitial cystitis. Histological examination showed a largely denuded bladder epithelium and granulation of the lamina propria infiltrated by lymphocytes and eosinophils. Most patients showed detrusor overactivity at very low bladder infusion volumes.

What makes this study alarming is the documentation of severe kidney effects. 51% of the patients showed unilaterial or bilateral hydronephrosis on renal ultrasonography. 7% had features suggestive of papillary necrosis.(6)

2009 Update

The first United Kingdom report of ketamine causing painful bladder and urinary tract damage was being released by D. Gillatt, Bristol Urological Institute in a poster session at the 2009 ICS meeting in late September 2009. Twenty long term ketamine users are discussed, displaying symptoms discussed above. Researchers report “progressive urinary tract damage leading to ureteric stricture and renal impairment.” A survey of British Association of Urology (BAUS) members found cases throughout the UK. (7)

Clinicians in Taipei, Taiwan produce solid studies. One team published a case study of a 25 year old man with ketamine induced bladder and kidney dysfunction. He admitted to using ketamine for four years recreationally. Symptoms were advanced, including gross hematuria and disabling, frequent urination. (8) In a study of eleven ketamine users, researchers find “irreversible histological changes in the urinary tract” noting that the dosage and duration of use of ketamine in causing this damage is still unclear. (9)

Researchers in Hong Kong discover dilated common bile ducts in ketamine users suggesting that the liver is also affected (10) and the bladder, ureters and kidney show invasion of mononuclear white cells in surrounding tissues. Lose of nerve fibers in the muscles of the bladder are also revealed. (11)

Can ketamine use lead to the development of cancer. In a study of 17 ketamine users, researchers in the UK found significant pathologies in the bladder wall that “mimic” carcinoma in situ but they conclude that the long term risk remains unknown. (12)

2010 Update

Researchers in Malaysian report on the case of a young Malay woman who was initially misdiagnosed with urinary tract infection. When she was unresponsive to therapy, additional investigation revealed a history of ketamine use. Authors encourage clinicians to be aware of this emerging public health concern. (13)

Radiologists in England present stunning results of 23 ketamine users. “Ultrasound demonstrated small bladder volume and wall thickening. CT revealed marked, generalized bladder wall thickening, mucosal enhancement, and perivesical inflammation. Ureteric wall thickening and enhancement were also observed. In advanced cases ureteric narrowing and strictures were identified using both CT and IVU. Correlation of clinical history, radiological and pathological findings was performed to confirm the diagnosis.” The authors conclude “This case series illustrates the harmful effects of ketamine on the urinary tract and the associated radiological findings. Delayed diagnosis can result in irreversible renal tract damage requiring surgical intervention. It is important that radiologists are aware of this emerging clinical entity as early diagnosis and treatment are essential for successful management.” (14)

Does ketamine use affect the brain? While cognitive dysfunction has been reported, researchers in China provide the first compelling evidence that the brain sustains damage. The authors reported “a reduction in frontal gray matter volume in patients after chronic ketamine use. The link between frontal gray matter attenuation and the duration of ketamine use and cumulative doses of ketamine perhaps suggests a dose-dependent effect of long-term use of the drug. Our results have important connotations for the clinical picture that is likely to emerge with the growing recreational use of ketamine and is also relevant to the status of the drug as a model for schizophrenia.” (15)

2011 Update

A collaborative team of urologists from throughout England released a paper reviewing past research, current literature and their own extensive clinical experience with ketamine patients. They suggest an assessment and treatment protocol of which the cornerstone is drug cessation. (16)

Researchers in Taiwan discovered that long term use (3 vs. 6 months) of ketamine causes thinning of the muscular layers of the bladder wall, particularly in the 6 month use group. Researchers also found a significant difference in sperm motility suggesting that ketamine also affects the genital system. (17)

Researchers in the United Kingdom discovered that ketamine abuse also causes liver dysfunction in a study of three young men who presented with jaundice and biliary tract abnormality. (18)

Researchers in Taiwan conducted the first study about the impact of ketamine use on sexual function which showed that sexual dysfunction was high in patients with KC. (19)

Researchers at Taichung Hospital (Taiwan) reported on four patients with a history of ketamine abuse, each showing typical symptoms of frequency, urgency, pain with urination. Urine cultures were sterile. Bladder ulceration with severe hemorrhage and low bladder capacity was found during cystoscopy. They reported that the cessation of ketamine abuse was the “milestone of treatment, followed by the use of mucosal protective agents, such as pentosan polysulfate or hyaluronic acid.” They reported that pain did improve in three patients after treatment but that outcome was dependent upon the severity of the disease process. (20)

2012 Update

Researchers in Spain produced their first study following 13 ketamine users in Barcelona, six of whom were experiencing severe lower urinary tract dysfunction with average frequency of every 42 minutes with 3 nighttime voids. All of the symptomatic patients experienced: 100% urgency, 100% pain with urination, 20% incontinence, 80% decreased flow, 80% with gross hematuria (blood in the urine) and 40% with lower back pain. Patients began to experience symptoms at 31 months and the intensity of symptoms was dependent upon ketamine dose and water intake. (21)

German clinicians shared the tragic story of a 25 year old ketamine addict who snorted ketamine over several years. Despite the presence of severe urinary dysfunction and pain, the patient was not motivated to stop using ketamine. After two attempts at treatment using Botox, cystectomy (bladder removal) was required. (22)

References:

What Ketamine Does

Early Studies Reveal Significant Damage

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