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

¯Abstract Background: 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. Objective: To determine some of cardiovascular risk factors in addict subjects. Methods: 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. Findings: 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). Conclusion: 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.