title: Risk factors of erectile dysfunction in patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While methadone effectively treats opiate dependence, the side effect of erectile dysfunction (ED) may interfere with treatment adherence and benefits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the rate of ED and the associated factors which predict ED in male patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in a Malaysian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome measures were the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 108 participants diagnosed with heroin dependence were assessed. We used the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorders (SCID-I) on subjects who received MMT, and they were assessed using the IIEF-15, the BDI, and measures of other clinical and sociodemographic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of ED among men on MMT was 68.5% (mild ED, 36.1%; mild to moderate ED, 22.2%; severe ED, 3.7%). The mean age of the participants was 43.45 years. Older age (P = 0.002), concurrent illicit heroin use (P = 0.024), and having an older partner (P = 0.039) were significantly associated with ED. Following multivariate analysis, it was found that older age was the only significant predictor of ED, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.07 (95% CI = 1.02-1.16). Methadone dose and duration of methadone treatment were not significantly associated with ED.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ED was highly prevalent among male patients on MMT. This suggests that there is a need for routine assessment of sexual function in patients on methadone. Among the risk factors, age was the only factor that was significantly associated with ED. The current use of MMT in Malaysia in terms of dosage and duration did not pose a significant risk for ED.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. nikruzyanei@yahoo.com
authors: Nik Ruzyanei
authors: NR
authors: Nik Jaafar
authors: Noormazita
authors: N
authors: Mislan
authors: Salina
authors: S
authors: Abdul Aziz
authors: Azlin
authors: A
authors: Baharudin
authors: Normala
authors: N
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Marhani
authors: M
authors: Midin
authors: Srijit
authors: S
authors: Das
authors: Hatta
authors: H
authors: Sidi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone
keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; Methadone Therapy; Opiate Dependence