Burden of ketamine cystitis in Chinese society

Ketamine cystitis, also referred to as ketamine-induced uropathy, is a new clinical syndrome affecting primarily young to middle-aged ketamine abusers and has become a global phenomenon since its first reported series in 2007. A spectrum of urological destructions ranging from mild cystitis to severely contracted bladder, ureteric stricture, upper tract damage, and irreversible renal failure has been reported. This review considers the scope and burden of ketamine cystitis in the Chinese population in Asia, stating the current status of management pathway, and reviews our current understanding on the pathophysiology of ketamine-induced uropathy.