Plausible Impact of Dietary Habits on Reduced Blood Sugar in Diabetic Opium Addicts with Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND The effect of opium on glycemic control in diabetics is a controversial issue, as some studies have shown glucose lowering effect of opium in diabetes while the results of other studies do not support this idea. The possible role of opioid peptides in the regulation of food intake has been previously investigated. However, there is no data available about relationship between opium using and dietary pattern. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to determine the daily intake of different nutrients in opium addict with diabetes diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS This study comprised 232 consecutive diabetic patients with CAD, and candidates for isolated coronary artery bypass surgery in Tehran Heart Center. Of these, 26 patients were opium addicts. Nutritional assessment was obtained by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS In opium addicts compared to non-addicts, consumption of carbohydrates (360.0±120.9 versus 447.8±249.8 Gr/day, P=0.016) and vitamin A (1170.4±570.2 versus 1496.3±889.6 μg/d as Retinol Activity Equivalent (RAE), P=0.040) was lower than non-addicts and intake of other nutrients were similar across two group of patients. CONCLUSIONS Opium addiction in diabetic patients may lead to decrease of vitamin A and carbohydrate intake. This study showed that carbohydrate intake in addicted diabetic patients is lower than their non-addict counterpart. Thus, the so called lowering effect of opium on blood sugar may be due to nutritional habit of addicted patients.