Ketamine-associated ulcerative cystitis: a new clinical entity.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series of 9 patients without a control group
PubMed 17482909 · doi:10.1016/j.urology.2007.01.038
What was done
A clinical evaluation of 9 daily recreational ketamine users presenting with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (dysuria, frequency, urgency, gross hematuria). Workup included urine cultures, microscopy, cytology, computed tomography, cystoscopy, and bladder biopsies.
What was found
Urine cultures were sterile in all 9 patients. Computed tomography showed marked bladder wall thickening, small bladder capacity, and perivesicular stranding. Cystoscopy revealed severe ulcerative cystitis in all 9 patients. Biopsies in 4 patients showed epithelial denudation and inflammation with mild eosinophilic infiltrate. Ketamine cessation plus pentosan polysulfate appeared to provide some symptomatic relief.
Why it matters
This paper identifies and describes ketamine-associated ulcerative cystitis as a distinct clinical entity resulting from chronic recreational use.
Limits
Small retrospective case series of only 9 patients without a control group. Only 4 patients underwent biopsy, and the abstract provides no specific data on dose, duration of use, or quantitative long-term outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Ketamine use causes severe bladder damage, resulting in severe urological dysfunction in young users.