Background and Aim: Opium use is a common cause of lead intoxication in Iran. The present study was conducted to determine the blood lead levels in oral and inhaled consumption of opium.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out between 1396-1395 on 200 patients with lead intoxication in Loghman-Hakim Hospital. We recorded and evaluated the patients' demographic information, type of opioid (oral or inhalable), blood lead levels, and treatment outcomes. For statistical analysis, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and correlation coefficient were performed using SPSS software, version 18.
Results: Based on the obtained results, %97 of the patients were oral opium users. The mean (standard deviation) of blood lead levels in oral opium users was 34.29 ( 108.86) ppm and in inhaled type, 11.44(33.37) ppm. A significant correlation was found between the blood lead levels and age of the patients (r = 0.002, p=0.2). There was no significant statistical difference between the sexes, the method of opium use, the outcome of the patient, and the serum level of lead (p >0.05).
Conclusion: Based on our results, the mean blood lead levels in inhaled and oral opium consumption are close to each other. Also, considering the public perception about the safety of inhalant use opium, it is suggested that to increase public awareness of the harms of inhaled use, in addition to oral consumption, educational prorams be planed by administrators and health care providers. Also, studies with more inhaled opium users should be carried out to statistically compare blood levels of lead in two groups of oral and inhaled consumptions.
