Determination of urinary mitragynine concentration and severity of kratom dependence among people with kratom dependence in Malaysia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Kratom is used traditionally for its medicinal properties in Southeast Asia. The main alkaloid content of kratom leaves is mitragynine, and it binds to opioid receptors. Therefore, kratom exerts opioid-like effects and carries a risk of addiction if used for a long period of time. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the urinary mitragynine of people with kratom dependence and relate it to habitual use of kratom. The severity of kratom dependence among respondents is assessed using the Kratom Dependence Score method. The concentration of mitragynine in urine was analyzed using LC/MS/MS. Significant variation in urinary mitragynine concentration was observed, ranging from the lowest of 58 ng/mL to the highest of 18,000 ng/mL. Urinary mitragynine concentration showed no significant association with the severity of kratom dependence. While Kratom Dependence Score analysis revealed a positive association between the severity and duration of kratom use (p=0.024). Many (36%) of people with kratom dependence confessed to recreational kratom use in their twenties. Urinary concentration of mitragynine does not correlate with severity (H=1.267, df=2, p=0.531) and long-term kratom dependency (H=0.860, df=3, p=0.835).
Institutions: Universiti Sains Malaysia, Technology Holding (United States)
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215133244