Correlation of Opium Usage with Blood Pressure and Fasting Blood Sugar, based on Fasa PERSIAN Cohort Study Data

purpose There is a belief that opium consumption has a protective effect on hypertension and diabetes as two important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aims to investigate blood sugar and pressure between opium users and non-users. Methods This cross-sectional study is based on a FASA PERSIAN cohort study. Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar were compared between opium users and non-users. A linear regression model was also used to adjust confounding factors’ effects. Data analysis is performed using version of 22spss software. Mean and standard deviation, frequency and frequency percentage, Independent t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA test, and linear regression model were used to analyze the data. The significance level was 0.05. Results In this study, 7428 adult people participated. The mean age of participants was 46.5 years. 27.05% of participants were opium users. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 73.18 mmHg in non-opium users; however, it was 70.95 mmHg in opium users(P = 0.000). The mean systolic blood pressure was 105.20 mmHg in opium users, but it was 107.78mmhg in non-users(P = 0.000). The mean Fasting Blood sugar was 86.75 and 85.88 mg/dl in non-opium users and users, respectively(P = 0.019). Conclusion In the presence of confounders such as age, sex, smoking, BMI, physical activity, and calorie intake, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower in opium consumers, but fasting blood sugar was higher in opium users. Considering the many side effects of these substances, the usage of opium is not recommended at all.