Blood Lead Levels, Hemoglobin, and Liver Enzymes in Opium-Dependent Addicts

Farzaneh Montazerifar; Mansour Karajibani; Maryam Lashkaripour; Manijeh Sayyad Mollashahi; Abbas Ali Niazi; Moghgan Soltan Mohammadi; Samaneh Rahimi Helari

doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_303_18

Blood Lead Levels, Hemoglobin, and Liver Enzymes in Opium-Dependent Addicts

Int J Prev Med. 2021 Jan 19:12:3. doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_303_18. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Farzaneh Montazerifar¹, Mansour Karajibani², Maryam Lashkaripour³, Manijeh Sayyad Mollashahi⁴, Abbas Ali Niazi⁵, Moghgan Soltan Mohammadi⁶, Samaneh Rahimi Helari⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition, Pregnancy Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
² Department of Nutrition, Health Promotion Research Center, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
³ Department of Psychiatric, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
⁴ Department of Psychiatric, Baharan Psychiatric Hospital, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
⁵ Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
⁶ Department of Nutrition, Student Scientific Research Center, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Opium addiction, as a major health problem, has been reported in Middle East countries. Recently, contaminated opium has been reported as a probable source of lead poisoning. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate blood lead levels (BLL), liver enzymes, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in opium-dependent addicts with healthy controls.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 75 opium-addicted men (case group) referred to Zahedan Baharan Hospital were evaluated. A group of 75 nonaddicted men were selected as a control group. BLL, Hb, and liver enzymes levels were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated.

Results: The case group had elevated BLL compared to the controls (19.1 ± 1.6 vs. 9.1 ± 0.4; P < 0.0001). Hb concentrations were significantly lower in the patients compared to the controls (13.3 ± 1.6 vs. 15.1 ± 1.3; P < 0.0001). A positive correlation was found between BLL and opium addict duration in the case group (r = 0.52, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Due to the contamination of opium to lead, it seems that opiate addicts are at risk of lead poisoning. Thus, it is recommended that the blood lead level is frequently monitored to control the adverse effects of poisoning and prevent lead accumulation.

Keywords: Hemoglobin; lead; liver enzymes; opium addiction.