Abstract
Background and Objectives: Methadone induced Sexual dysfunction is one of the main reasons of noncompliance with methadone therapy. This study was designed to evaluate the relation between Sexual function with Methadone Dosage, and Testosterone and Prolactin Plasma levels.
Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study, 135 patients on MMT from 2 MMT centers were allocated with a simple random sampling method after getting a written consent form. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were completed by the patients, and then a blood sample was taken for laboratory measurement of Testosterone and Prolactin. Collected data was analyzed using the statistical methods.
Results: The mean age of patients was 36.38 ± 9.44 years, 94.8% of participants had some degrees of sexual dysfunction, Mean methadone dosage was 100.2 ± 38.4 Mg/day and Serum testosterone and prolactin levels were, 8.7 ± 6.6 and 4.8 ± 3.1 Microgram/Lit respectively. There was no significant association between mean of IIEF score with methadone dosage (r=-0.021, P = 0.8) and testosterone level (r=-0.101, P = 0.25) but There was significant association between mean of IIEF score and prolactin levels (r=-0.18, P = 0.039). On multiple regression test, only prolactin plasma levels was a significant predictive of IIEF score.
Conclusion: Plasma Prolactin levels are the only sexual function Predictor of patients on MMT regimen.