Substance use disorders in patients with lung or heart diseases

We assessed the prevalence of substance use disorders in a sample of Iranian patients with heart or lung diseases who referred to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this prospective study we used structured interview based on DSM – IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed) criteria for substance use disorders. Data were gathered by a structured interview from 528 randomly selected patients referred to the hospitals. The mean age was 40.8 yr., (SD=16.6) ranging from 15 to 83 yr. In patients with heart diseases, the majority (44.2%) was tobacco dependent, 5.8% were opium and none were alcohol, cannabis, cocaine or LSD dependent. In patients with lung disease, the majority (17.9%) was tobacco dependent, 7.1% were opium dependent, and none were cannabis, cocaine, or LSD dependent. Substance use especially tobacco, and opium was found to be high among patients. There was no report of cannabis, cocaine or LSD dependence. Substance dependence was significantly more prevalent in male than female patients. Cultural attitudes toward substance use were found to affect the type and amount of use. These findings can be considered when planning preventive programs.