Evaluation of substance abuse and cigarette smoking in patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 disease in Kashan-Iran

Coronavirus is one of the biggest health problems in the world. The studies show that smokers or addicts are more vulnerable to the virus. The present study evaluated the frequency of smoking and substance abuse among patients with COVID-19 and other patients. 

In this cross-sectional study in 2021, 1400 participants (Kashan, Iran) were included (700 patients in COVID-19 group and 700 people in non-COVID-19 group). Then, they fulfilled the Addiction Diagnosis Questionnaire (ASSIST), and their addiction was tested with a diagnostic kit. The data were analyzed through independent t-test, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and SPSS v.17. 

The prevalence of smoking and substance abuse in the COVID-19 group was 19.4% and 4.4%, respectively (23.0% and 9.2% in non-COVID-19 group, respectively). No significant differences in smoking frequency were observed between the two groups (P= 0.229). The results showed that the frequency of substance abusers was significantly lower in the COVID-19 group (P= 0.008). 

The present results showed that the prevalence of smoking among patients with COVID-19 is not significantly different from other patients. Interestingly, the prevalence of substance abuse among participants with COVID-19 was significantly lower than other patients. Since the number of smokers or substance abusers was expected to be higher among patients with COVID-19, the cause of this paradox is unclear, and more studies are needed to clarify its various dimensions.