BACKGROUND
In spite of the increasing trend in opioid abusers worldwide, the prevalence
of narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS) is undetermined. We aimed to estimate the
prevalence of NBS and other opioid bowel dysfunction (OBD) in opioid abusers
in Kerman, southeast Iran. According to the best of our knowledge, this is
the first study to assess the prevalence of NBS in opioid abusers.
METHODS
By referring to addiction treatment centers in Kerman city and in a crosssectional
study, 577 subjects with opium or opioid subtracts abuse were included
in our study. A validated questionnaire was used for OBD assessment
and diagnosis of NBS was made according to both the presence of chronic
abdominal pain despite increasing the opioid dose and ruling out other causes
of abdominal pain. SPSS software version 16 was used for data analysis. p
value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
RESULTS
Constipation, regurgitation, and heartburn were the most gastrointestinal
complaints that were found in 132(22.9%), 123(21.3%) and 91(15.8%) subjects,
respectively. Only 16(2.8%) participants fulfilled all the NBS criteria.
Simultaneous use of non-narcotic sedative drugs increased the risk of NBS
significantly (the odds ratio 3:1 and p=0.049).
CONCLUSION
NBS is not rare among opioid abusers and should be considered as a cause
of chronic abdominal pain in this group.
KEYWORDS
Opioid bowel dysfunction, Narcotic bowel syndrome, Prevalence, Opioid abuser,