The Pulmonary Hypertension
Association (PHA), in conjunction with leading pulmonary hypertension
specialists, announced the launch of an educational campaign to raise
awareness of the association between pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
and stimulant use, particularly methamphetamine use. While national and
regional variances in methamphetamine use exist, one study conducted at the
University of California, San Diego (UCSD), observed methamphetamine use in
approximately 24 percent of patients with previously unknown risk factors
for the disease. PAH is a rare, life-threatening blood vessel disorder of
the lungs that causes the pressure in the pulmonary artery to rise above
normal levels.
"We are seeing more and more PAH patients come into the clinic that are
current or former methamphetamine users," said Richard Channick, M.D.,
professor of clinical medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at
UCSD. "There is an urgency to get this message out to drug rehabilitation
centers and physicians seeing patients with a history of substance abuse,
and make sure they are aware of this association and of the symptoms of
PAH. PAH is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to those
seen with asthma and other respiratory conditions."
"Over the past few years, our physicians have made significant progress
toward improving the lives of patients with PAH through earlier diagnosis,
increased disease recognition, and continued development of effective
therapies," said Rino Aldrighetti, president of the PHA. "However, we need
to increase awareness among physicians, drug rehabilitation centers, and
the general public about this association between methamphetamine usage and
the development of PAH so that patients can receive proper treatment as
early as possible."
In a retrospective study entitled, "Is Methamphetamine Use Associated
With Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension," published in the December
2006 issue of CHEST, Dr. Kelly Chin and colleagues at UCSD studied rates of
stimulant use -- any reported use of amphetamine, methamphetamine, or
cocaine -- in 340 patients with either IPAH, PAH resulting from a known
risk factor, or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. A history of
stimulant use was found in 29 percent of patients with a diagnosis of
idiopathic PAH, compared with 4 percent of patients with PAH and a known
risk factor, and 4 percent of patients with chronic thromboembolic
pulmonary hypertension. After adjustment for differences in age and gender,
patients with idiopathic PAH were eight to ten times more likely to have
used stimulants than patients with these other forms of pulmonary
hypertension.
About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
PAH is a rare blood vessel disorder of the lung in which the pressure
in the pulmonary artery rises above normal levels and may become life
threatening. PAH is diagnosed when other more common causes of pulmonary
hypertension such as severe emphysema, interstitial lung disease, heart
failure and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism have been ruled out.
Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) refers to PAH that occurs
without a known cause and is extremely rare. PAH can also occur in
association with collagen vascular diseases such as scleroderma, CREST
syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), congenital heart diseases,
HIV infection and liver disease. Use of diet drugs like fenfluramine and
dexfenfluramine can also lead to PAH, and an association between PAH and
substance abuse, including methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine use,
has also been seen.
PAH is under-diagnosed because its early symptoms, including shortness
of breath, chest pain, tiredness, lightheadedness, and fainting, are often
misdiagnosed with those of many other conditions such as asthma. PAH has
been historically chronic and incurable with a poor survival rate, because
the disease has often progressed to a late stage by the time it is
accurately diagnosed. However, new treatments are available which have
significantly improved prognosis. Recent data indicate that the length of
survival is continuing to improve, with some patients able to manage the
disorder for 15 to 20 years or longer.
About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and the Campaign
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is dedicated to finding
ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension, and to provide hope for
the pulmonary hypertension community through support, education, advocacy
and awareness. The vision of PHA is to improve the lives of those affected
by pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
phassociation