The Association between Chronic Heroin Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction: Little is known about the correlation between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heroin smoking. Heroin smoking is a recent underinvestigated problem. The goal of this study is to study the impact of heroin smoking among COPD patients. Methods: This is a descriptive clinical study. A combination of self-reporting questionnaires and data extraction tools were used to collect information during baseline tests, interviews, and follow-ups. Patients' medical, clinical, and socioeconomic history were recorded. Participants were recruited using random sampling from multiple centers. Results: Out of 1034 COPD patients, heroin smokers represented the vast majority of addiction cases (n = 133). Heroin smokers were leaner than non-addicts (19.78 +/- 4.07 and 24.01 +/- 5.6, respectively). The most common type of comorbidities among heroin smokers was emphysema (27%). Both the forced expiratory volume (FEV (1))/forced vital capacity ratio and FEV1% predicted were lower among heroin smokers than non-addicts (52.79 +/- 12.71 and 48.54 +/- 14.38, respectively). The majority of heroin smokers (55%) had advanced COPD, and at least 15% of heroin smokers suffered from frequent respiratory failure. The mean +/- SD for COPD onset age among heroin smokers was 44.23 +/- 5.72, and it showed a statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Heroin smoking might be linked to the onset of COPD. Heroin smokers showed a significantrespiratory impairment compared to tobacco smokers of the same age group.