lipid profile comparison between opium addicts and non-addicts

background: this study was done to test the notion that opium can reduce serum lipids and decrease the risk of ischemic heart disease (ihd) in opium addicts; we made a comparison between the lipid profiles of opium addicts and non-addicts.   methods: in this study, we compared 100 male opium addicts (according to the icd-10 criteria) who had referred to addiction treatment centers with 75 healthy male non-addicts. the subjects filled out our research questionnaire and had their fasting serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride) evaluated. results: among those with a body mass index (bmi) between 18 and 25, the total cholesterol level in the opium addicts was less than that in the control group; there was, however, no difference in terms of ldl, hdl, and tg between the case and control groups. there was a significant difference in bmi between the two groups, which requires further studies to investigate the reason. conclusion : opium does not seem to have any impact on triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein. despite the lower total cholesterol levels in opium addicts (as a known side effect of opium on different body systems), it is not advisable that opium and its extracts be recommended to decrease the risk of ihd.