Addiction & Health

Addiction & Health

Associations Between Metabolic and Atherogenic Indices and Opioid Addiction: A Cross-Sectional Study From Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors Study (KERCADRS)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Beydolah Shahouzehi 1, 2
Fatemeh Rezaeisharif 3, 4
Hamidreza Nasri 5
Mahdis Rahimi Naiini 6
1 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4 Student Research Committee, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
5 Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
6 Applied Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
10.22122/ahj.2026.202476.1806
Abstract
Introduction: Opioid addiction is a major public health issue globally and in Iran. Chronic opioid abuse is linked with metabolic disturbances including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (IR), increasing cardiometabolic risk.
Methods: In this cross-sectional investigation, we assessed the relationship between opium addiction and its associated metabolic and atherogenic factors in 92 adult participants. Participants were divided into two groups: addicts (n = 38) and non-addicts (n = 54). Data on baseline characteristics, including age, anthropometric indices (BMI, weight, height, waist circumference (WC)), lipid profiles, blood pressure (BP), and fasting blood sugar (FBS), were collected and compared between groups. Marital status and smoking habits were also assessed. Various metabolic and atherogenic indices were calculated and analyzed.
Results: Among the participants, no significant differences were observed between addicts and non‑addicts in most anthropometric or lipid profile parameters. However, addicts had significantly higher FBS levels and a greater prevalence of smoking. The TyG index was also higher among addicts, suggesting increased IR in this group. Logistic regression analysis identified smoking and elevated FBS as independent predictors of addiction, even after adjustment for confounding variables.
Conclusion: This study highlights smoking and elevated FBS as significant independent predictors of addiction. The observed higher TyG index in the addict group may indicate underlying metabolic dysfunction. These findings underscore the importance of screening for metabolic disturbances in individuals with opioid use disorder.

Highlights

Mahdis Rahimi-Nainii(GoogleScholar)(Pubmed)

Keywords
Opioid-related disorders
Metabolic syndrome
Insulin resistance
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Addiction & Health

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 September 2026