Opium abuse linked to total cholesterol decrease in patients with diabetes

Takeaway

• This meta-analysis found that opium abuse significantly decreased total cholesterol in patients with diabetes.
• However, with respect to high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), body mass index (BMI) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, opium abuse showed no statistically significant effect compared with control.

Why this matters

• Findings may have public health significance in the area of promoting suitable nutritional intake in patients with diabetes who abuse opium.

Study design

• Meta-analysis of 6 studies including patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who were substance abusers.
• Primary outcome: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, TG.
• Secondary outcome: BMI.
• Funding: None.

Key results

• Opium abuse vs control group had significantly lower total cholesterol (mean difference [MD], −0.17; 95% CI, −0.29 to −0.04; P=.01).
• Opium abuse vs control showed no statistically significant difference with respect to:
  • HDL cholesterol (MD, −0.07; 95% CI, −0.20 to 0.06; P=.29),
  • LDL cholesterol (MD, 0.08; 95% CI, −0.08 to 0.23; P=.32),
  • TG (MD, −0.06; 95% CI, −0.48 to 0.37; P=.79) and
  • BMI (MD, −0.27; 95% CI, −0.89 to 0.35; P=.39).

Limitations 

• Review included studies from only one country.