Effect of opium smoking cessation on the nasopharyngeal microbial flora

To determine the effect of opium smoking cessation on the frequency and type of microorganisms in the nasopharynx of opium smokers. This cross-sectional study was performed in the Psychiatry, and Ear, Nose, and Throat Departments, Moradi Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran from June to November 2008, Nasopharyngeal cultures were taken from 50 opium smokers before, and 2-3 months after cessation of opium smoking. Potential pathogens were identified. Patients were not advised to change their number of cigarettes, and we used methadone for the substitution of opium. Eight potential pathogens were isolated from nasopharyngeal cultures obtained from 43 individuals before opium smoking cessation, and 4 were recovered from 33 individuals after cessation [p=0.03]. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus alpha hemolytic, and Staphylococcus aureus were not found in the second culture. The most sensitivity to antibiotics was for ceftriaxone [84%], ciprofloxacin [74%], and cloxacillin [72%], and the most resistance for amoxicillin [26%] and the least resistance for chloramphenicol. Some potential pathogens decrease or are even absent after opium cessation. Opium smoking affects the nasopharyngeal flora

Effect of opium and heroin misuse on chronic motor tic disorder

Tics are sudden, recurrent and stereotyped motor movements or vocalizations. Dopamine blockers are the main pharmacological agents used in the management of tics. Opioid antagonists have been reported to be effective in the management of tics. In this article, two patients with chronic motor tic disorder are reported, whose symptoms were disappeared by using opioid substances

Rapid and clonidine detoxification in opium dependent patients

This project was conducted to compare two programs of treatment, the rapid [naltrexone/clonidine] and the conventional [clonidine] detoxification. 54 opioid dependent patients referred to the clinic of Iran Educational Psychiatric Center participated in the study; they were randomly placed in two groups. 28 patients in group A [naltrexone/clonidine] and 26 patients in group B [clonidine] were studied. Data were collected via clinical interview based on DSM-IV criteria and a questionnaire appraising demographic in- formation and drug use patterns. For statistical evaluations, descriptive tests, t-test, and X2 were used. Both groups were similar in terms of demographic information, pattern of drug use, and the rate of attrition in the one-month follow up. The severity of withdrawal symptoms was the same in the two groups and assessed generally at the moderate level. There was no difference in the rate of treatment completion between the two groups [94% for group A and 96% for group B]. However, the length of hospitalization was significantly lower in group A than group B [five days. vs. nine days]. There were no major side effects observed in the two groups. There were no significant differences in terms of maintaining in treatment and rate of relapse in the one month follow up. Relapse rates were 50% and 46% respectively in groups A and B. As an effective method, rapid detoxification with naltrexone combined with clonidine is recommended considering its moderate severity of withdrawal symptoms, short period of detoxification, lack of severe adverse effects, as well as the possibility of rapid commencement of treatment with naltrexone for maintenance treatment

Comparing plasma level of CRP, factor VII, fibrinogen; platelet counts, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in smokers with opium addicted smokers

The observational and experimental studies show that there are more cases of cardiovascular disease especially myocardial infarction [MI] among addicts who are referred to hospitals compared with non-addicts. To determine some of cardiovascular risk factors in addict subjects. A total of 70 subjects aged 25-50 [35 smokers with opium addiction who were addict at least for last three years as case group and 35 smokers as control group] were selected. The plasma levels of factor VII, CRP, fibrinogen and blood platelet counts were determined for both groups. Also, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured. The mean activity percent of plasma level for factor VII was significantly higher in opium addict men than control. The mean plasma level of fibrinogen in case group was lower than control but not significant. Also, no significant difference was observed between blood platelet counts among two groups. Mean plasma level of CRP was also significantly lower in addict group than the control group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower in case group compared with control group [P<0.05]. The data found in our study showed that the blood factors such as plasma levels of factor VII and fibrinogen, as two cardiovascular risk factors, and also blood pressure were affected by opium addiction. It seems that one of the causes of higher numbers of MI among addict subjects to be likely associated with significantly greater values for factor VII activity seen in this population

Is bladder cancer more common among opium addicts?

Many environmental and occupational risk factors have been proposed for bladder cancer, among which opium consumption has been considered in few studies. We designed a study to determine the relationship between opium consumption and bladder cancer. In a retrospective, case-control study, male patients with bladder cancer, who had been referred to our hospital in a three-year period, were selected. Data regarding age, gender, smoking, and opium consumption were collected from patients' records and compared with data of a control group, consisting of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]. Fifty-two male patients with bladder tumor [group 1] were compared with 108 patients with BPH [group 2]. Of the patients with bladder cancer, 36 [68%] were smokers, of whom 12 were also opium addicts. In general, 13 [25.5%] patients were opium consumers [one opium consumer was not smoker]. From 108 patients with BPH, 25 [23%] were smokers, of whom, 5 were also opium addicts. Mean duration of cigarette smoking was 31 +/- 13.6 and 20.2 +/- 14.7 years in patients with bladder cancer and BPH, respectively. The duration of opium consumption was 11.9 +/- 1.4 and 6.2 +/- 1.3 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The duration of cigarette smoking and opium consumption in group 1 was greater than that in group 2. In addition, smoking increases the risk of bladder cancer 3.8-fold [OR=8.3, 95% CI=1.8-7.8]. Simultaneous cigarette smoking and opium consumption increases the risk of bladder cancer 6.2-fold [OR=6.2, 95% CI=2.04-18.7]. There are few studies regarding the carcinogenic effect of opium on bladder. We demonstrated that, the incidence of bladder cancer in smokers, who are simultaneously opium consumers, was higher than in patients who were only smokers. Simultaneous opium addiction and cigarette smoking may have some roles in the pathogenesis of bladder tumor. However, further studies with large sample sizes are warranted

Drogas en el Perú / Drugs in Peru

Bajo el título de drogas en el Perú se presenta un apretado resumen de la farmacología de las drogas ilícitas de uso más extendido en el país. No se ha considerado pertinente presentar en esta oportunidad la gran familia de las drogas de las que se abusa frecuentemente pero que por razones epidemiológicas y de manejo de los aspectos preventivos se clasifican como drogas sociales, productos industriales o drogas folclóricas. El libro ha sido diseñado como un auxiliar práctico para público general, maestros y alumnos que requieran obtener información farmacológica acerca de las drogas en un lenguaje accesible al público general. Ramiro Castro de la Mata, médico farmacólogo especialista en drogas y miembro fundador de CEDRO, presenta en esta obra, una apretada síntesis de los principales aspectos de la farmacología de las principales drogas ilícitas cuyo consumo viene aquejando a la población peruana o de aquellas como el opio que amenazan a las futuras generaciones