Impact of Opium Addiction on Liver Function and Biliary Tract in Patients with Bile Duct Stones: A Case-Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

2 Faculty of Medicine, Bogomolets National Medical University (NMU), Kyiv, Ukraine

3 School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

4 Faculty of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

5 Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

6 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBUMS), Tehran, Iran

10.34172/ahj.1636

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of opium on liver function and the biliary tract in patients with bile duct stones, comparing outcomes with non-addicted individuals.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Iran from 2016 to 2017. A total of 86 patients with bile duct stones were divided into two groups: opium-addicted (n = 40) and non-opium-addicted (n = 46). The patient’s hepatobiliary system was evaluated using liver function tests (LFTs) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software.
Findings: LFTs showed significantly elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (90.67 ± 46.99 vs 55.28 ± 45.53 U/L, P = 0.036) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) (120.47 ± 90.15 vs 51.83 ± 35.21 U/L, P = 0.005) in the opium-addicted group compared to controls, and higher direct (4.05 ± 2.84 vs 2.30 ± 1.66 mg/dL, P = 0.002) and total bilirubin levels (5.02 ± 3.94 vs 2.93 ± 2.35 mg/dL, P = 0.007). Furthermore, the common bile duct (CBD) diameter was significantly larger in the opium-addicted group (12.21 ± 3.42 vs 7.80 ± 2.62 mm, P = 0.007). In contrast, pancreatic duct diameters (P = 0.289) and alanine aminotransferase (ALP) levels (P = 0.842) showed no significant differences.
Conclusion: The study revealed that opium addiction is associated with significantly elevated levels of liver enzymes (AST and ALT), higher bilirubin levels, and an increased common bile duct diameter in patients with bile duct stones, while the pancreatic duct diameter and ALP levels remained unaffected. These findings highlight the potential impact of opium use on the hepatobiliary system and underscore the importance of further research to understand its long-term effects and improve clinical management.

Keywords

References

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Addiction & Health
Volume 17
Pages 1-7

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