Comparison of serum lead level of opium dependent patients with a healthy control group

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of multiple symptoms, including mental illness, symptoms that mimic diseases such as pancreatitis, nonspecific abdominal pain and cholecystitis, are high in drug-dependent patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to consider the clinical signs and serum lead levels of individuals referred to four university hospitals with various complaints. Patients and Methods: In this study, 128 sample cases in two groups, the case group and control group, have been examined. The case group included 64 persons using oral opium who were suffering from various complaints and referred to emergency department of mentioned hospitals. The control group included 64 patients without any history of addiction. Results: Mean of blood serum lead level in opium users and control group was 76.34±17.82 mg/dL and 7.68±3.72 mg/dL respectively, and the difference between these groups was significantly meaningful (P<0.001). The most prevalent complaints were abdominal pain and pulmonary complaints. Conclusion: Findings of the current study showed high levels for an average serum lead level for oral opium addicts among the studied statistical population. In addition, results show that ultimate diagnosis of lead poisoning is a factor justifying symptoms for addicts with nonspecific symptoms, the subject that confirms several previous reports. This finding asserts the necessity of screening of serum lead level for patients addicted to opium compounds in order to prevent more severe side effects.