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Opium as a Risk Factor for Bladder Cancer: A Population-based Case-control Study in Iran
Morteza Akbari1, Ahmad Naghibzadeh-Tahami2, Narges Khanjani3
1Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Background:
Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common genitourinary system malignancy in humans. Consumption of opium and its derivatives, maybe a risk factor possibly in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between consumption of opium and its derivatives and the incidence of BC.
Methods:
In an individually matched case-control study in Shiraz (located in the south of Iran), 198 patients with BC and 396 healthy individuals (matched in age, sex and residence (urban/rural)) were investigated. Data about consumption of opium and its derivatives, tobacco, alcohol and diet were collected using a structured valid and reliable questionnaire. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were computed using conditional logistic regression models.
Results:
Opium consumption was associated with an increased risk of BC with an adjusted OR = 3.9 (95% CI: 1.2 - 12.0). Moreover, a considerable dose-response relationship was observed between the opium consumption and its derivatives and the incidence of BC; comparing to no users, the odds ratios of low and high consumptions were 3.3 (95% CI: 0.5 - 23.1) and 4.9 (95% CI: 1.1 - 21.9) respectively.
Conclusion:
Opium consumption can be a potential strong risk factor for BC in Iran.
