The association of opium addiction with prostate volume: A cross-sectional study

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges in a non-cancerous manner. Opioids can decrease prostate-specific antigen levels along with testosterone and can lead to changes in prostate volume. The main objective of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between opioid addiction and prostate volume. This observational cross-sectional study included 174 male patients admitted to Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between December 2023 and November 2024. Participants were categorized into 2 groups: opioid users (exposed group; N = 87) and non-users (non-exposed group; N = 87). Prostate volume was measured using ultrasound, and statistical analyses involved independent samples t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. A p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Among opioid users, 71.3% primarily consumed opium, while the remaining individuals used methadone, refined opium, or heroin. The average prostate volume for all participants was 29.5 cm3 , with no significant difference observed between opioid users and non-users (p = .268). However, a significant positive correlation was found between the duration of opioid use and prostate volume (Spearman’s rho = 0.353, p < .001). Additionally, age showed a strong correlation with prostate volume in both opioid users (Spearman’s rho = 0.476, p < .001) and non-users (Spearman’s rho = 0.591, p < .001). This study found no significant association between prostate volume and opium addiction, smoking, body mass index, and past medical history. Age and duration of opium consumption were the only significant factors associated with prostate volume. To achieve definitive results, prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed.