Gholamreza Yousefzadeh - Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mostafa Shokoohi - Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Hamid Najafipour - Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mahmood Eslami - Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Farank Salehi - Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND: Along with the established effects of opium on metabolic parameters, stimulatory or inhibitory effects of opium on metabolic syndrome are also predictable. This study aimed to examine the association of opium use with metabolic syndrome and its components. METHODS: This study was conducted on ۵۳۳۲ out of ۵۹۰۰ original sample participants enrolled in a population-based cohort entitled the Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Study in Iran from ۲۰۰۹ to ۲۰۱۱. The subjects were divided into three groups of “non-opium users” (NOUs = ۴۳۴۰ subjects), “former opium users” (FOUs = ۱۷۶ subjects), and dependent and occasional people named “current opium users” (COUs = ۸۱۱ subjects). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to two International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definition criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of IDF defined-metabolic syndrome among NOUs, FOUs, and COUs was ۳۶.۴%, ۲۷.۳%, and ۳۹.۰%, respectively; which was significantly higher in the COUs group (P = ۰.۰۱۲). However, no significant difference was revealed across the three groups in prevalence of NCEP defined-metabolic syndrome (NOUs = ۳۷.۲%, FOUs = ۳۰.۱%, and COUs = ۳۹.۶%, P = ۰.۰۵۸). The odds for IDF defined-metabolic syndrome was higher in both COUs [odd ratio (OR) = ۱.۲۸, P = ۰.۰۲۸)] and FOUs (OR = ۱.۵۷, P = ۰.۰۴۵) compared with NOUs as the reference adjusting gender, age, body mass index, and cigarette smoking. However, the appearance of NCEP defined-metabolic syndrome could not be predicted by opium use. CONCLUSION: Opium use can be associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome based on IDF criteria and thus preventing the appearance of metabolic syndrome by avoiding opium use can be a certain approach to preventing cardiovascular disease.   

Metabolic Syndrome, Opium, Substance Abuse, Addictive Behavior