TITLE:
Opiate exposure increases arterial stiffness, advances vascular age and is an independent cardiovascular risk factor in females: A cross-sectional clinical study
AUTHORS:
Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse
KEYWORDS:
Arterial Stiffness; Heroin; Opiates; Vascular Ageing; Dependence; Human Ageing
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.3 No.5,
July
25,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Whilst several
studies have demonstrated poor cardiovascular health in opiate dependence,
its role as a cardiovascular risk factor has not been considered. Methods:
Pulse wave analysis was undertaken by radial arterial tonometry (SphygmoCor)
in female control and opiate-dependent patients and compared to lifetime opiate
use. Results: 222 opiate dependent women were compared to
175 controls. Opiate dependent patients were receiving treatment with buprenorphine
(83.3%), methadone (13.5%), or naltrexone (3.2%). Non log transformed
chronologic age (CA) for the two groups was 33.58 ± 0.57 (opiate) vs. 32.62 ± 0.96
(controls) years (mean ± S.E.M.; P = 0.39). Vascular Reference Age (RA) 39.30 ±
1.28, vs. 35.03 ± 1.41 the RA-CA difference (5.73 ± 1.02 vs. 2.41 ± 0.91) and
the RA/CA ratio (1.16 ± 0.03 vs. 1.07 ± 0.02; all P -6), was
included in 10 other terms, and dose or duration was included in 15 other
interactions. Conclusion:
These data show that lifetime opiate use is significantly associated with
increased arterial stiffness and vascular age and suggest a dose-response
relationship. This relationship is robust and persists after full multivariate
adjustment. These findings carry far-reaching implications for opiate-induced
generalized acceleration of organismal ageing.