Methadone Replacement Therapy and Sexual Disorders among Opium Dependent Iranian Men: A Meta-Analysis Study

Background: Evaluation of sexual disorders among persons receiving methadone replacement therapy is of great importance, because these problems may lead to non-compliance and relapse. This study aimed to estimate the effect of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) on sexual function among addicted Iranian men using met-analysis.Methods: Investigating the available data banks, relevant studies were identified. After exclusion of duplicates, irrelevant papers and low quality articles, eligible papers were entered into the meta-analysis. Prevalence and standardized mean difference of sexual function scores were illustrated by forest plots based on sexual desire, orgasm and erectile function.Findings: During the primary search, ۵۳۴۱ evidences were identified. After application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria and quality assessment, nine papers were detected eligible for final meta-analysis. Total prevalence [۹۵% confidence intervals (CI)] of sexual disorders and erectile dysfunction among Iranian men under methadone therapy were estimated as ۶۶.۳% (۲۷.۱-۱۰۵.۵) and ۷۷.۵% (۶۱.۹-۹۳.۱), respectively. The standardized mean differences (۹۵% CI) of Sexual desire, orgasm and erection before and after methadone therapy were estimated as ۰.۱۶ (-۰.۶۸, ۰.۹۹), -۰.۰۱ (-۰.۷۵, ۰.۷۴) and ۰.۱۱ (-۰.۴۱, ۰.۶۴), respectively.Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that methadone therapy did not significantly influence the sexual desire, erectile function and orgasm among opium dependent men.

Keywords:

Methadone Therapy , Sexual dysfunction , libido , Orgasm , Erection