Influence of treatment with inhalable heroin on pulmonary function

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Addiction Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Chronic heroin dependence is often associated with pulmonary dysfunction.
• Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent in this population and can exacerbate lung issues.
• Understanding the impact of prescribed inhalable heroin on lung health is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the influence of prescribed inhalable heroin on pulmonary function in chronic heroin-dependent patients.
• To determine if inhalable heroin treatment further deteriorates lung function over 10 months.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 32 chronic heroin-dependent patients, all cigarette smokers, underwent spirometric testing.
• Pulmonary function was assessed at baseline and after an average of 10 months of treatment with medically prescribed inhalable heroin.
• Statistical analysis was performed, excluding patients who received additional pulmonary treatment or used heroin intravenously.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of patients (34%) exhibited pulmonary dysfunction (%FEV1 <80%) at baseline.
• After exclusions, no statistically significant difference in %FEV1 was observed between baseline (mean 86%) and follow-up (mean 91%, p=0.09) in 28 patients.
• This suggests inhalable heroin did not cause further deterioration in pulmonary function over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Ten months of prescribed inhalable heroin base appears not to further impair pulmonary function in chronic, treatment-refractory heroin addicts who smoke cigarettes.
• Routine screening for and treatment of pulmonary dysfunction are recommended for all methadone patients, including those prescribed heroin.