THE IMPACT OF SYNTHETIC CATHINONES ON SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS WITH DEPENDENCE
Keywords:
synthetic cathinones, Alfa-PVP, suicidality, new psychoactive substances (NPS), substance use disorders.Abstract
Synthetic cathinones (SC), a prominent class of new psychoactive substances (NPS), have gained increasing popularity in illicit drug markets. Their widespread availability and perceived legal status contribute to rising consumption rates, despite emerging evidence of severe psychiatric consequences. Among these, suicidality remains a significant concern. However, research on the association between synthetic cathinone use and suicidal behavior remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SC use and suicidality risk. Methods. An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center of Mental Health in Uzbekistan between 2022 and 2024. A total of 138 patients diagnosed with substance use disorders were included, stratified into two groups: main group (n = 98): patients with synthetic cathinone dependence (ICD-10 code F15.2); comparison group (n = 40): patients dependent on other psychostimulants. Data were collected through clinical records, structured clinical interviews, and standardized questionnaires, including the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Odds ratios (OR), relative risks (RR), and the number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated to assess the association between SC use and suicidality.
Results. The findings revealed a significant association between Alfa-PVP use and increased suicidality risk (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.19–6.39, p = 0.026; RR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.09–3.95, p = 0.026). The NNT for harm (4.97) suggests that for every five individuals using Alfa-PVP, one additional case of high suicidality occurs.
Conclusions. The results underscore Alfa-PVP as a substance of concern, given its strong association with suicidality, necessitating increased clinical monitoring. Further research is required to explore underlying mechanisms and validate these findings through adjusted models and prospective studies.
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