Prevalence of opioid use based on urine sample among men referred to one of the clinical laboratories in Kerman,Iran

Introduction: Comparing to other health problems, substance use epidemiology
is a new area of research in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of opioid use among referees to a clinical laboratory by drug testing.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the urine sample of 1120 consecutive
individuals referred to a major clinical laboratory in Kerman city were tested for
opioid metabolites anonymously. At first, a screening test was done on samples
(chromatographjic Immunoassay test, Enison, U.K) and then solid-liquid column
chromatography and thin layer chromatography (Sam phannavar, Tehran, Iran)
was done on positive samples as a confirmatory test. The results were analyzed
using Chi-Square test and descriptive methods.
Results: Ninety-three percent of subjects were urban dwellers and the mean
(±SD) age of the sample studied was 46.5 (±16.5). In 28.4% (318) of the
specimens the screening test became positive and thin layer chromatography
confirmed half of them as true positive. So, 14.4% of samples were positive
regarding opioid metabolites.
Conclusion: Although individuals attending laboratory clinics may not be a
representative sample of the whole Kermani population, but the relatively high
figures obtained have significant implications for further research.