Opium Consumption Challenge and Diabetes Mellitus Control

OBJECTIVE: During recent years, opium consumption has increased among Iranian diabetic men. The belief that opium consumption can control or even eradicate DM is increasing. This study was conducted to compare the blood sugar, HbA1c, lipid profile and the frequency of diabetes complications in male type II diabetic patient with and without opium consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred thirty two type 2 diabetic men were included in a case- control study between September 2009 and June 2010. They were divided into two groups: with (n= 88), and without (n=144) current opium consumption. Serum glucose was measured by two methods: hexokinase (automized and manual) and orthotolidine method, and Hb A1C was measured by chromatographic ion exchange. The opium consumption was evaluated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of urine. Analyses were performed using SPSS and P≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was not a significant age difference between two groups. The mean duration of opium use was 36±6 months. The difference between mean serum fasting glucose levels in different methods of measurement was not significant between case and control groups. The results of this study showed a significant lower level of serum HbA1C (p=0.006) and triglyceride (p=0.005) in diabetic patients with opium abuse, but the frequency of peripheral neuropathy and ophthalmic photocoagulation was not different between two groups. CONCLUSION: Although the HbA1c was lower in males with opium consumption, the frequency of chronic complications of diabetes was not significantly different between two groups. We didn't evaluate other complications of opium consumption, especially mental and physical dependence. In summary, despite observed effects on some of glucose indices, opium is not a harmless treatment for diabetes.