Opium Consumption as a Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19 Outcomes: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

Introduction: COVID-19, a worldwide outbreak, has caused significant mortalities and morbidities across the globe. The disease severity and progression depend on many interrelated factors, including the host’s immune system responses. The preventive and disease modulating effects of drugs like opium on COVID-19 are unknown, especially immune-modulatory activity in those affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study investigated the link between using opium and COVID-19 severity, as well as COVID-19-related hospitalization and mortality. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1,455 patients registered in the COVID-19 database of Zabol University of Medical Sciences. Logistic regression models were used to analyze data and evaluate the link between opium use and COVID-19 severity. Results: A strong connection was found between opium consumption and a higher chance of hospitalization among COVID-19 patients (OR=9.4, 95% CI=3.9- 23, P<0.001). However, opium use showed no meaningful link to the risk of contracting COVID-19 (OR=1.3, 95% CI=0.88- 1.9, P=0.188) or death due to this disease (OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.07- 8.5, P=0.574). Conclusion: Opium consumption seem to modulate COVID-19 severity and need for hospitalization but not the risk of contracting this disease. These results show that healthcare providers need to pay close attention to the effects of substance use when treating COVID-19 patients.