Lipid Profile Status and Cardiac Risk Factors in Opium Users Versus Non-users with Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from the National Persian Registry of Cardiovascular Disease (N-PROVE)

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Opium consumption is prevalent in certain populations and has various health implications, including potential effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the differences in cardiac risk factors, lipid profiles, and new lipid indices between opium consumers and non-consumers among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on patients who underwent coronary angiography at Razi Hospital in Birjand from March 2018 to March 2021. Participants included individuals with stenosis greater than 50% in at least one coronary artery. Patients were categorized into two groups: Opium consumers and non-consumers, based on self-reported usage during angiography. Data on demographics, medical history, Body Mass Index (BMI), and lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), were extracted from patient records. New lipid indices were calculated using established formulas. All patients who underwent coronary angiography during this time frame were included in the study, ensuring a comprehensive sample. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 22, considering a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results: Out of 1,888 patients with CAD, 24.5% were opium consumers. The mean age of opium users was lower than that of non-consumers (60.64 ± 11.14 years vs. 64.38 ± 11.38 years). A higher proportion were male (78.8% vs. 65.1%), and they had a lower BMI (24.67 ± 4.04 kg/m2 vs. 25.46 ± 4.77 kg/m2). The history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia was less prevalent in opium consumers. Additionally, triglyceride levels, Atherogenic Index, Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) Index, and non-HDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the opium group compared to the non-consumers. However, the history of coronary angioplasty and smoking was greater among opium users. Conclusions: This study highlights the complex relationship between opium consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in coronary patients. Given the observed lower age and reduced risk factors among opium users, further research is warranted to confirm these findings and to investigate the potential role of opium as an independent risk factor for CAD. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies in affected populations.