No change of sleep after 6 and 12 months of methadone maintenance treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) affects sleep.

METHODS:

We prospectively followed up the sleep pattern of 23 opiate addicts when admitted to MMT and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, pain self-report questionnaires, urine for drug abuse, and one-night sleep polysomnography were assessed.

RESULTS:

The baseline sleep indices (sleep time [5.5 ± 1.1 hours], sleep efficiency [80.6% ± 10.5%], rapid eye movement [REM] stage percent of sleep [14.3% ± 8.4%], percent of non-REM stage 3-4 [6.7% ± 8.6%], and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scores [11.4 ± 4.8]) did not change at 6 and 12 months. Proportion of patients with absent non-REM stage 3-4 reduced (47.8%, 34.8%, 13%, P = 0.03), and mean REM density increased (P = 0.04). Body mass index increased (24 ± 4.2 kg/m, 25.7 ± 4 kg/m, 27.1 ± 4.8 kg/m, P < 0.0005) with no change in the rate of benzodiazepine abuse or chronic pain. No patient had central sleep apnea. The Respiratory Disturbance Index (apnea or hypopnea numbers/sleep hr) increased among 5 patients who increased ≥25% of their entry weight (3.4 ± 4.1, 11.8 ± 10.1, 29.6 ± 30.4 Respiratory Disturbance Index's) but not with the other 18 (3.9 ± 4.8, 6.2 ± 6.2, 7.8 ± 7.4).

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that MMT did not negatively affect the opiate addicts' baseline poor perceived and objective sleep. Only extensive weight gain (evident in a minority of patients) was associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Authors: Einat Peles, Shaul Schreiber, Rachel Bar Hamburger, Miriam Adelson
• Journal: Journal of addiction medicine (J Addict Med) Vol. 5 Issue 2 Pg. 141-7 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1932-0620 [Print] United States
• PMID: 21769060 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Methadone

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Analgesics, Opioid (pharmacology)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Israel
• Male
• Methadone (pharmacology)
• Middle Aged
• Opioid-Related Disorders (rehabilitation)
• Polysomnography (drug effects)
• Sleep (drug effects)
• Sleep Stages (drug effects)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult