Valvular dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in individuals with opioid use disorder who are maintained on buprenorphine/naloxone: a focus on pan-immune-inflammation value and uric acid-to-albumin ratio
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aim Individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are maintained on buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) are at risk of cardiovascular complications, including valvular damage, potentially mediated by chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation. However, the relationship between novel biomarkers such as the Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV) and uric acid-to-albumin ratio (UAR) and cardiac structural abnormalities in this population remains poorly understood. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 140 intravenous Suboxone users and 165 healthy controls, analyzing demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data collected between January 2023 and January 2025. Laboratory parameters were used to calculate the PIV and the UAR, which were then correlated with echocardiographic findings, including valvular morphology and left ventricular function. Results Compared with controls, individuals with OUD + Suboxone had significantly larger right atrial diameters (26 vs. 25 mm, p < 0.001) and left atrial diameters (31 vs. 30 mm, p = 0.003). Inflammatory markers were markedly elevated, including PIV (232.5 vs. 194.5, p = 0.041) and UAR (0.12 vs. 0.11, p < 0.001). CRP levels were also higher in the OUD + Suboxone group (6 vs. 3 mg/L, p < 0.001). Pulmonary regurgitation was more frequent compared with controls ( p < 0.001). Conclusion This study underscores the potential of PIV and UAR as predictive markers for cardiac pathologies in individuals undergoing buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy, highlighting the need for further validation in larger prospective studies.
Authors: Hatice Eyiol, Sevdenur Kahraman, Ahmet Taha Sahin, Selver Can, Azmi Eyiol
Institution: SBÜ Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4417449570