title: Effect of Oral Methadone on ECG Characteristics and Endocrine Hormonal Changes and Their Inter-relationship.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methadone is the most common opioid in use for opioid substitution therapy. The relation of methadone and electrocardiographic findings is nearly well known while the relationship between its electrocardiographic indexes and hormonal changes is not well recognized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hormonal changes in patients who are taking methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and its effects on electrocardiographic indexes, in comparison with healthy control groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  40 patients receiving MMT therapy for at least last six months and 40 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum estradiol, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and thyroid function tests were measured. Mean QT Interval, P-R Interval (PRi) and QRS duration were also documented in maximum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in hormonal parameters between MMT and control groups. No significant relation was found between hormonal parameters, dose and duration of methadone usage in patients group. QTc was significantly higher in methadone users than control groups. QTc had a significant negative correlation with Testosterone level (r=-0.581, P=0.007) in males. Significant difference was found between PRi in patients and control groups (P=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrocardiographic changes are an important complication of methadone that seems to be related to low testosterone level in men.
authors: Endocrine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, Postal Code: 91766.. Iran.
authors: Shokoufeh
authors: S
authors: Bonakdaran
authors: Mahdi Hassan Zadeh
authors: MH
authors: Daloee
authors: Ali Akhoondpoor
authors: AA
authors: Manteghi
authors: Mina
authors: M
authors: Akbarirad
authors: Abdollah
authors: A
authors: Firoozi
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Akbarirad
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D008691:Methadone
keywords: Addiction; electrocardiographic indexes; endocrine hormones; methadone; testosterone.