Erectile Dysfunction in Methadone Maintenance Therapy

Abstract

Background: Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is one of the most common treatments for drug use complications. Sexual disorders are reported as common side effects of these treatments, the most important of which is erectile dysfunction. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of dose-dependence and duration of methadone treatment on erectile dysfunction in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 192 opioid-dependent men undergoing methadone maintenance treatment at Shariati Hospital in Fasa (Iran) in 2018. Samples were selected by the available sampling method. Each individual was given a demographic questionnaire, methadone consumption questionnaire, and standard erectile dysfunction questionnaire. The one way ANOVA test and, in some cases, Pearson correlation coefficient with chi-square test for qualitative variables were used. Results: Mean age of patients was 41.41 ± 8.41, the mean duration of MMT was 60.53 ± 37.8 months, and the mean therapeutic dose was 83.68 ± 27.07mg. 171 (86.8%) were married, 13 (6.8%) had no erectile dysfunction. While 37 (19.3%) had mild, 78 (19.3%) mild to moderate, 48 (25%) moderate, and 16 (8.3%) had severe erectile dysfunction. The results showed that erectile dysfunction was significantly associated with age and duration of methadone consumption. However, the type of methadone and marital status had no significant association with erectile function. Conclusions: Erectile dysfunction is common in men receiving MMT. The severity of erectile dysfunction is related to the duration of MMT and is not dose-dependent. Therefore, subjects who are on long-term MMT need more frequent erectile dysfunction assessment.