Impact of Opium Use on the Conventional Coronary Artery Risk Factors among Outpatients in Afghanistan: A Case-Control Study In Andkhoy City

Background: According to a recent study, opium use like other risk factors, is considered an independent risk factor for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Its association with other risk factors increases the risk of CAD. However, debate continues about this association. Aim: To explore the association between the conventional CAD risk factors and opium use among patients visiting an outpatient clinic in Andkhoy, Afghanistan. Methods: The case-control study was performed on 574 patients aged 18 years and above including 161 opium addicts and (case group) and 413 non-addicts (control group) from October 2017 to April 2018. Results: There were 277 males (48.3%) and 297 females (51.7%). The mean age was 53.2 (+/- 13.1) for opium users and 53.9 (+/- 13.5) for non-opium users. Opium use was associated with male gender (OR=8.2, 95% CI: 4.2-16.0), smoking (OR=9.0, 95% CI: 4.7-17.3), decreased Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) levels (OR=1.0, 95% CI: 1.0-1.1), decreased total cholesterol levels (OR=3.4, 95% CI:1.8-6.2), physical inactivity (OR=3.9, 95% CI: 2.1-7.2), and hypertension (OR=15.1 95% CI: 6.7-33.8). Conclusions: We found that the opium use was associated with male gender, smoking, hypertension, decreased total serum cholesterol levels and decreased FBS levels. However, the association between opium use and the decreased total serum cholesterol levels and decreased FBS levels may be due to short-term hormonal and neural effects. Therefore, it should be advised not use opium as a cardioprotective agent.