title: Sleep Quality and Sexual Function in Patients Under Methadone Maintenance Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methadone maintenance has remained the main modality of treatment for opioid dependent subjects. Side effects of methadone treatment may be potential obstacles to its continuation. Sleep quality and sexual function are two culture-based concerns, directly related to patients' compliance with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This research was conducted to examine the frequency of sleep disparity and sexual dysfunction in patients under MMT referring to MMT clinics of Kerman, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 198 adult subjects under MMT for more than 6 months were enrolled. Measurement tool consisted of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Arizona sexual experience scale (ASEX), the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a demographic questionnaire. The questionnaires were self-completed, except where individuals were illiterate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ± SD age of the subjects was 41.2 ± 7.9 years and 93.4% of them were male. More than half of them used heroin. Prevalence of poor sleeping and sexual dysfunction in patients under MMT were 67.7% and 18.2%, respectively. There was no association between sleep quality or sexual dysfunction and demographics or methadone dose. However, a significant correlation was observed between mental health and sleep quality (r =0.16, P = 0.033), and sexual function (r = 0.18, P = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sleep quality showed a poorer profile than sexual function. Therefore, more emphasis should be laid on treatment of sleep disparity during follow up of MMT patients comparing to their sexual function. Patients should be reassured that probable sexual dysfunctions should not be regarded as a consequence of MMT.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Taleghani Hospital, Research Development Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Kheradmand
authors: Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute of Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Amini Ranjbar
authors: Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute of Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Zeynali
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Abdol Reza
authors: AR
authors: Sabahy
authors: Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors: Nouzar
authors: N
authors: Nakhaee
keywords: Methadone; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Sexual Dysfunction; Substance-Related Disorders