International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021612025022629702970EN1 Larestan Health Center, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan2 Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas3Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa,4Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa5 Department of Public Health, School of Health, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy4Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa4Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa4Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa20250226Background: This study aimed to determine the relationships between opium use and metabolic syndrome in Fasa PERSIAN cohort data. Methods: This was an analytical cross‑sectional study conducted among participants of the first phase of the Fasa PERSIAN cohort study. A total of 10,074 participants (aged 35–70 years) were studied. The MetS was defined as per the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III (NCEP‑ATP III) criteria. Independent sample t‑test and Chi‑square test were used for univariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression was used to control for potential confounders and calculate odds ratios (ORs). Results: The MetS prevalence was 24.6% in the whole population (28.42% in women vs. 19.94% in men, P < 0.001). The prevalence of opium use was 23.2%. The odds of metabolic syndrome in smokers was lower than in non‑smokers (OR = 1.17%, 95% CI 1.001–1.37). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that opium consumption has an inverse relationship with metabolic syndrome. However, this study was cross‑sectional, and longitudinal studies are needed for more accurate conclusions. Opium is also a carcinogen. Therefore, its use is not recommended.http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2970http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2970/717718811