title: Potential effect of opium consumption on controlling diabetes and some cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients.
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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Najmeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohamad Hossain
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Gozashti
authors.affiliation: Professor, Physiology Research Center AND Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Najafipour
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shokoohi
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marefati
keywords: Cardiovascular risk factor; Diabetes mellitus; Dyslipidemia; Hypertension; Opium