RESUMEN
Objective: To compare heroin users with their age and gender matched relatives as regards non-invasive investigations like chest x-ray, electrocardiography [ECG] and 2D-echocardiography
Study Design: Case control study
Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology-National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi, from Feb 2010 to Jul 2010
Material and Methods: Sixty one heroin users [cases] and their 100 non-substance abuser age and gender matched relatives [controls] were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Chest x-ray [CXR], 12-lead electrocardiography [ECG] and two-dimensional echocardiography [2D-ECHO] were done of each one and the result was interpreted by respected consultants. The data were analyzed on SPSS version 15. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation [SD] were described for quantitative variables while frequency and percentages for qualitative variables. Independent samples t-test compared quantitative variables while for qualitative variables chi-square test was used. Ninety five percent confidence intervals were calculated for all variables
Results: Statistically significant differences were noted between cases and controls as regards chest X-ray. A total of 10% cases had findings consistent with tuberculosis [TB] as compared to 3% controls [p=0.045]. There was however no cardiac abnormality in any study subject. Significant 12-lead ECG findings other than normal were noticed in 12 [19.7%] heroin users as compared to 10 [10%] controls [p=0.083]. In 12 lead ECG, the predominant finding was t wave inversion in leads AVF and III. According to 2D-echocardiography [2D-echo] reports, 15 [24.6%] heroin users [cases] and 17 [17%] controls had abnormal findings [p=0.242]. We report no vegetations on any cardiac valve
Conclusion: On radiological and cardiac parameters, heroin users are a different population as compared to the non-heroin users. The knowledge about variations on non-invasive investigations not only helps the healthcare workers to optimize treatment regarding rehabilitation but also facilitate diagnosis and treatment