Comparison of common cardiac factors among addicted and non-addicted older adults in Birjand

Age-related aspects of addiction are one of the most important public health challenges in the world and also in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the level of common cardiac factors in addicted and non-addicted older adults.

This case-control study was conducted on 230 older adults over 60 years in Birjnd, the capital of South Khorasan, Iran. A total of 115 older adults with at least one year of drug use history and 115 older adults without a history of addiction were included in the study. A questionnaire containing demographic and addiction information was completed for each subject. Body mass index (BMI), as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, was determined. Blood samples were taken from each individual after 12 hours of fasting to measure fasting blood sugar (FBS), and lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride).

There was no significant difference in FBS between addicted and non-addicted older adults (P> 0.05). In the lipid profile, there was only a significant decrease in triglyceride levels in the addicted group compared to their non-addicted counterparts (P=0.02). Mean blood pressure in the addicted group was significantly lower than that in the non-addicted group (P=0.01).

As evidenced by the results of this study, opium dependence does not seem to have a protective effect on blood sugar and lipid profiles. Therefore, education and promotion of community health literacy, especially among older adults, are necessary to improve traditional beliefs about opium use.