The relationship between plasma uric acid levels, impulsivity and suicidality in patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder.

Abstract

Background: Uric acid, the final product of purine metabolism, may indicate various mental disorders and may be associated with behavioral and clinical features due to its role in adenosine transmission and the antioxidant system.

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid, impulsivity, and suicidality in patients with opioid use disorder.

Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 115 participants: 62 patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder and 53 healthy controls. We performed blood tests at admission and administered the Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Suicide Probability Scale, Structured Clinical Interview Form for DSM-5, and the Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Collection Form to the participants.

Results: Serum uric acid levels were significantly lower in the opioid use disorder group than in the healthy control group. No significant correlation was found between serum uric acid levels, suicidality, and impulsivity in the opioid use disorder group.

Conclusion: Although there is previous research that suggested a potential link between uric acid levels, impulsivity, and suicidality, we could not find a significant correlation between uric acid levels, impulsivity, and suicidality in the opioid use disorder group. However, the possible relationship between uric acid, impulsivity, and suicidality may be masked by decreasing the effect of opioid use on uric acid levels.