Substance use among Iranian cardiovascular patients

This study assessed the prevalence of substance use among Iranian patients with cardiovascular disease who were admitted in different cardiac wards at Shiraz general hospitals.

Cross-sectional survey using structured interview and also using DSM-IV criteria for substance dependency.

General hospitals in Shiraz city (Patients with cardiovascular disease admitted in different cardiac wards).

Ninety-six patients selected randomly.

Data were gathered by a structured interview from 96 patients admitted in cardiac ward of general hospitals in 2001. The mean age was 52.6 yr., (SD = 14.64) ranging from 15 to 100 yr. About 38.5% (58.3% of men and 18.8% of women) reported the use of substance(s) once or more in their lives. The majority (36.5%) used tobacco, 9.4% used opium and 8.3% used alcohol. No body used cocaine or LSD. About 24% (39.6% of men and 8.3% of women) were current substance dependent, using DSM-IV criteria. The majority (22%) were nicotine dependent, 5.2% were opium dependent and 3.1% were alcohol dependent. The reported reasons for initial use of substance(s), in order of frequencies, were Enjoyment, Modeling and Release of tension, and also for current users were, Habit, Enjoyment, Release of tension and Need.

Substance use especially cigarettes, opium and alcohol was found to be high among patients. There was no report of cocaine or LSD use. Cultural attitudes toward substance use were found to affect the type and amount of use. These findings can be considered when planning preventive programs. cardiovascular disease; substance dependency; alcohol; tobacco; opium; heroin; LSD; cocaine; hashish; marijuana; morphine