Authors
Najmeh Rahimi MD1, Mohamad Hossain Gozashti MD2, Hamid Najafipour PhD3,
Mostafa Shokoohi MSc4, Hamid Marefati PhD5
Affiliations
Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Affiliations
1- Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of
Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3- Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical
Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4- Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman,
Iran
5- Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar
University of Kerman AND Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of
Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3- Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical
Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4- Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman,
Iran
5- Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar
University of Kerman AND Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Background: Due to this belief that opium may have beneficial effects on diabetes or cardiovascular risk
factors, the present study aimed to assess the potential and possible effects of opium consumption on
diabetes control and some cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients.
Methods: This study enrolled 374 diabetic subjects from diabetes care centers in Kerman, Iran, including
opium user group (n = 179) and a non-opium user group (n = 195). The data were collected through a
questionnaire completed by interviewing, physical examination and laboratory assessment.
Findings: Opium did not show any statistically significant effect on blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin
(HbA1C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and diastolic blood pressure. However,
systolic blood pressure (SBP) and prevalence of high SBP were significantly higher in opium user group
(P < 0.050). In addition, lower serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and frequency of lower HDL was
significantly higher in opium user group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: According to this study, opium does not seem to have beneficial effects on diabetes control or
cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, it would not be advisable to consume opium as an anti-diabetes or
cardioprotective agent.
Keywords: Opium, Diabetes mellitus, Cardiovascular risk factor, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension
factors, the present study aimed to assess the potential and possible effects of opium consumption on
diabetes control and some cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients.
Methods: This study enrolled 374 diabetic subjects from diabetes care centers in Kerman, Iran, including
opium user group (n = 179) and a non-opium user group (n = 195). The data were collected through a
questionnaire completed by interviewing, physical examination and laboratory assessment.
Findings: Opium did not show any statistically significant effect on blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin
(HbA1C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and diastolic blood pressure. However,
systolic blood pressure (SBP) and prevalence of high SBP were significantly higher in opium user group
(P < 0.050). In addition, lower serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and frequency of lower HDL was
significantly higher in opium user group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: According to this study, opium does not seem to have beneficial effects on diabetes control or
cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, it would not be advisable to consume opium as an anti-diabetes or
cardioprotective agent.
Keywords: Opium, Diabetes mellitus, Cardiovascular risk factor, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension