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  1. Saref A, Suraya S, Singh D, Grundmann O, Narayanan S, Swogger MT, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2019 Jun 28;238:111876.
    PMID: 31014959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.111876
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Southeast Asia for its opioid-like effects. Although kratom produces analgesia through binding of mitragynine and other alkaloids at the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), the association of long-term kratom use with adverse opioid-like effects remains unknown.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the self-reported prevalence and severity of opioid-related adverse effects after kratom initiation in a cohort of illicit opioid users.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 163 illicit opioid users with current kratom use history were recruited through convenience sampling from the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire.

    RESULTS: Respondents were all males, majority Malays (94%, n = 154/163), with a mean age of 37.10 years (SD = 10.9). Most were single (65%, n = 106/163), had 11 years of education (52%, n = 85/163) and employed (88%, n = 144/163). Half reported using kratom for over >6 years (50%, n = 81/163), and 41% consumed >3 glasses of kratom daily (n = 67/163). Results from Chi-square analysis showed kratom initiation was associated with decreased prevalence of respiratory depression, constipation, physical pain, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, craving, decreased sexual performance, weight loss and fatigue.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that kratom initiation (approximately 214.29 mg of mitragynine) was associated with significant decreases in the prevalence and severity of opioid adverse effects.

  2. Saref A, Suraya S, Singh D, Grundmann O, Narayanan S, Swogger MT, et al.
    J Psychoactive Drugs, 2019 11 04;52(2):138-144.
    PMID: 31682782 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1686553
    This study sought to determine the relationship between kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) initiation and regular consumption of illicit drugs and HIV risk behaviors in a cohort of illicit drug users in Malaysia. 260 illicit drug users with current kratom use were recruited through convenience sampling for this cross-sectional study. All were male, with the majority being Malays (95%, n = 246/260). Results suggest that kratom initiation was associated with significant decrease in the regular use of heroin (odds ratio (OR) = 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40- 0.72; p = .0001), methamphetamine (OR = 0.23, CI: 0.16- 0.35; p < .0001), and amphetamine (OR = 0.17, CI: 0.09- 0.34; p < .0001). Kratom initiation was also associated with reduction in regular HIV risk behaviors such as having sex with sex workers (OR = 0.20, CI: 0.12-0.32; p < .0001), using drugs before sexual intercourse (OR = 0.20, CI: 0.13- 0.31; p < .0001), injecting behaviors (OR = 0.10, CI: 0.04- 0.25; p < .0001), sharing of injection equipment (OR = 0.13, CI: 0.04- 0.43; p < .0001), and injecting with other injection drug users (IDUs) (OR = 0.07, CI: 0.02- 0.24; p < .0001).
  3. Singh D, Narayanan S, Suraya S, Saref A, Grundmann O, Prozialeck WC, et al.
    J Psychoactive Drugs, 2020 03 10;52(3):282-288.
    PMID: 32153252 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1738603
    Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), an indigenous medicinal plant of Southeast Asia, is believed to be harmful. We compared the perceptions toward kratom use among kratom users and non-users in Malaysia. 356 respondents (137 kratom users and 219 non-users) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The majority of respondents were male (60%, n = 212/356), Malays (88%), and 51% were ≥37 years old. Non-users showed higher unadjusted odds of reporting a perception that kratom use can cause addiction (OR = 6.72, CI: 3.91-11.54, p
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