Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 88 in total

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  1. Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Iriyanti M, Muchransyah AP, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL
    Drug Alcohol Depend, 2015 Apr 01;149:71-9.
    PMID: 25659895 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.018
    BACKGROUND: In Indonesia, incarceration of people who inject drugs (PWID) and access to drugs in prison potentiate within-prison drug injection (WP-DI), a preventable and extremely high-risk behavior that may contribute substantially to HIV transmission in prison and communities to which prisoners are released.

    AIMS: This mixed method study examined the prevalence, correlates, and social context of WP-DI among HIV-infected male prisoners in Indonesia.

    METHODS: 102 randomly selected HIV-infected male prisoners completed semi-structured voice-recorded interviews about drug use changes after arrest, drug use cues within prison, and impact of WP-DI on HIV and addiction treatment. Logistic regression identified multivariate correlates of WP-DI and thematic analysis of interview transcripts used grounded-theory.

    RESULTS: Over half (56%) of participants reported previous WP-DI. Of those, 93% shared injection equipment in prison, and 78.6% estimated sharing needles with ≥ 10 other prisoners. Multivariate analyses independently correlated WP-DI with being incarcerated for drug offenses (AOR = 3.29, 95%CI = 1.30-8.31, p = 0.011) and daily drug injection before arrest (AOR = 5.23, 95%CI = 1.42-19.25, p = 0.013). Drug availability and proximity to drug users while incarcerated were associated with frequent drug craving and escalating drug use risk behaviors after arrest. Energetic heroin marketing and stigmatizing attitudes toward methadone contribute to WP-DI and impede addiction and HIV treatment.

    CONCLUSIONS: Frequent WP-DI and needle sharing among these HIV-infected Indonesian prison inmates indicate the need for structural interventions that reduce overcrowding, drug supply, and needle sharing, and improve detection and treatment of substance use disorders upon incarceration to minimize WP-DI and associated harm.

    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation
  2. Devi BC, Tang TS, Corbex M
    PMID: 16702132
    Effective cancer pain management is influenced by the attitudes and knowledge of treating physicians. A survey was conducted among the total population of government hospital doctors of Sarawak to study the barriers to cancer pain management. Two hundred and fifty-three respondents (83%) completed the survey. The study results highlight that knowledge about cancer pain management was low and barriers to morphine prescription were high. A majority of doctors were deterred from using morphine because of fear of addiction (36.5%) and respiratory depression (53.1%). Only 16.2% of the doctors chose the oral mode of administration to treat pain, furthermore 25% prescribed morphine on "PRN" basis. Doctors with undergraduate study in oncology consistently answered better suggesting that the situation can be improved by education. This study showed that barriers to morphine prescription and knowledge deficit amongst government doctors in Sarawak are strong but similar to those reported in western countries few years ago.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  3. Madden L, Bojko MJ, Farnum S, Mazhnaya A, Fomenko T, Marcus R, et al.
    Int J Drug Policy, 2017 11;49:48-53.
    PMID: 28957756 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.07.025
    BACKGROUND: Opioid agonist therapies (OAT) like methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment remain markedly under-scaled in Ukraine despite adequate funding. Clinicians and administrators were assembled as part of an implementation science strategy to scale-up OAT using the Network for Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) approach.

    METHODS: Nominal Group Technique (NGT), a key ingredient of the NIATx toolkit, was directed by three trained coaches within a learning collaborative of 18 OAT clinicians and administrators to identify barriers to increase OAT capacity at the regional "oblast" level, develop solutions, and prioritize local change projects. NGT findings were supplemented from detailed notes collected during the NGT discussion.

    RESULTS: The top three identified barriers included: (1) Strict regulations and inflexible policies dictating distribution and dispensing of OAT; (2) No systematic approach to assessing OAT needs on regional or local level; and (3) Limited funding and financing mechanisms combined with a lack of local/regional control over funding for OAT treatment services.

    CONCLUSIONS: NGT provides a rapid strategy for individuals at multiple levels to work collaboratively to identify and address structural barriers to OAT scale-up. This technique creates a transparent process to address and prioritize complex issues. Targeting these priorities allowed leaders at the regional and national level to advocate collectively for approaches to minimize obstacles and create policies to improve OAT services.

    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation
  4. Teh LK, Izuddin AF, M H FH, Zakaria ZA, Salleh MZ
    Biol Res Nurs, 2012 Apr;14(2):188-96.
    PMID: 21613340 DOI: 10.1177/1099800411405030
    Drug addiction is a multifactorial disorder. Researchers have posited that an individual's inherited behavioral propensity or temperament contributes to the disorder by shaping a personality strongly linked with the risk of drug abuse. Further, they hypothesize that the polymorphism of dopamine D2 receptor increases the susceptibility to and severity of addiction. We, therefore, investigated possible associations between dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and personality traits among intravenous heroin addicts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/genetics*; Opioid-Related Disorders/psychology*
  5. Moey CH, Yee A, Muhamud Kayat SB
    J Addict Dis, 2020 04 24;38(3):263-270.
    PMID: 32329412 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2020.1748990
    Background and Objectives: Smoking is the primary cause of preventable death and is highly prevalent among patients on methadone assisted treatment (MAT). This study aims to assess the prevalence of tobacco use disorder (TUD) among patients on MAT, the factors associated with TUD, and to examine the association between TUD and quality of life.Methods: A total of 171 male patients receiving MAT in two Malaysian government hospitals were assessed for TUD, levels of nicotine dependence, relevant associated factors and quality of life using DSM-5 criteria, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Opiate Treatment Index (OTI), Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF.Results: The prevalence of TUD was 81.3%. Being employed was significantly associated with having a TUD. Among the patients with TUD, the mean FTND score was 3.8 (SD ± 2.0). Being younger, having poorer social function, and presence of current opioid dependence were significantly correlated with higher FTND scores. There was no significant difference in the quality of life between patients with and without TUD. Following multiple linear regression analysis, being unmarried and poor health status were the two factors that significantly predicted a lower quality of life in all four domains of WHOQOL-BREF.Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of TUD among methadone-assisted patients, smoking cessation treatment should be integrated into the MAT program in Malaysia. Also, addressing patients' marital and health issues during MAT can be instrumental in improving their quality of life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/epidemiology*; Opioid-Related Disorders/psychology*
  6. Vicknasingam B, Navaratnam V
    Int J Drug Policy, 2008 Feb;19(1):90-3.
    PMID: 18312823 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2006.11.004
    The study explores how data collated from rapid assessment can enhance those produced by national level surveillance systems, in this case the national drug information (NADI) system in Malaysia. Qualitative data were collected in keeping with internationally accepted guidance on rapid assessment methods in the field of substance use. An inductive research strategy was employed. The rapid assessment produced multiple data on local drug use practices and how these were influenced by the contexts of use. The assessment points to the importance of collecting data not only on patterns of drug use but also on the health and social consequences of drug use. We suggest that the current national drug information system places greater emphasis on behavioural and health-related variables in order to better understand the potential relationships between drug use and health-related risk, including HIV/AIDS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/epidemiology*
  7. Yee A, Loh HS, Hisham Hashim HM, Ng CG
    J Sex Med, 2014 Jan;11(1):22-32.
    PMID: 24344738 DOI: 10.1111/jsm.12352
    INTRODUCTION: For many years, methadone has been recognized as an effective maintenance treatment for opioid dependence. However, of the many adverse events reported, sexual dysfunction is one of the most common side effects.

    AIM: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among male patients on methadone and buprenorphine treatments.

    METHODS: Relevant studies published from inception until December 2012 were identified by searching PubMed, OVID, and Embase. Studies were selected using prior defined criteria. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and odds ratio were assessed thoroughly.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To examine the prevalence and odds ratio of sexual dysfunctions among the methadone and buprenorphine groups.

    RESULTS: A total of 1,570 participants from 16 eligible studies were identified in this meta-analysis. The studies provided prevalence estimates for sexual dysfunction among methadone users with a meta-analytical pooled prevalence of 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.65). Only four studies compared sexual dysfunction between the two groups, with a significantly higher combined odds ratio in the methadone group (OR = 4.01, 95% CI, 1.52-10.55, P = 0.0049).

    CONCLUSIONS: Evidence showed that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was higher among the users of methadone compared with buprenorphine. Patients with sexual difficulty while on methadone treatment were advised to switch to buprenorphine.

    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy*; Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation
  8. Vicknasingam B, Narayanan S, Beng GT, Mansor SM
    Int J Drug Policy, 2010 Jul;21(4):283-8.
    PMID: 20092998 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.12.003
    BACKGROUND: Ketum (krathom) has been mentioned in the literature as a traditional alternative to manage drug withdrawal symptoms though there are no studies indicating its widespread use for this purpose. This study examines the reasons for ketum consumption in the northern areas of peninsular Malaysia where it is widely used.
    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 136 active users was conducted in the northern states of Kedah and Penang in Malaysia. On-site urine screening was done for other substance use.
    FINDINGS: Ketum users were relatively older (mean 38.7 years) than the larger substance using group. Nearly 77% (104 subjects) had previous drug use history, whilst urine screening confirmed 62 subjects were also using other substances. Longer-term users (use >2 years) had higher odds of being married, of consuming more than the average three glasses of ketum a day and reporting better appetite. Short-term users had higher odds of having ever used heroin, testing positive for heroin and of using ketum to reduce addiction to other drugs. Both groups used ketum to reduce their intake of more expensive opiates, to manage withdrawal symptoms and because it was cheaper than heroin. These findings differ from those in neighbouring Thailand where ketum was used primarily to increase physical endurance.
    CONCLUSIONS: No previous study has shown the use of ketum to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms except for a single case reported in the US. Ketum was described as affordable, easily available and having no serious side effects despite prolonged use. It also permitted self-treatment that avoids stigmatisation as a drug dependent. The claims of so many subjects on the benefits of ketum merits serious scientific investigation. If prolonged use is safe, the potential for widening the scope and reach of substitution therapy and lowering its cost are tremendous, particularly in developing countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  9. Hoff E, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Altice FL, et al.
    J Subst Abuse Treat, 2017 Dec;83:36-44.
    PMID: 29129194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2017.10.003
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy; Opioid-Related Disorders/epidemiology*
  10. Premila Devi J, Azriani AR, Zahiruddin WM, Mohd Ariff MN, Noor Hashimah A
    Malays J Med Sci, 2012 Oct;19(4):17-22.
    PMID: 23613645
    BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of MMT program among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
    METHODS: The study was a retrospective study based on the records of injecting drug users (IDUs) involved in the MMT program from November 2005 to 31st Jan 2008, registered at the Psychiatric Clinic of Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II. Opiate Treatment Index (OTI) was used as the research instrument. Repeated measures ANCOVA was used to compare the mean scores during the entry period and after completing twelve months of MMT program after adjusted for age, marital status, and level of education.
    RESULTS: A total of 117 file records were reviewed. There was significant reduction in the mean scores after 12 months of heroin Q score, HIV Risk-taking Behavior Scale and health scale after adjusted for age, marital status, and level of education. For Heroin Q score, mean difference was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.45, 2.56), for HIV Risk-taking Behavior Scale, mean difference was 7.64 (95% CI: 6.03, 9.26), and for health scale, mean difference was 5.35(95% CI: 3.90, 6.79).
    CONCLUSION: This study supports the evidence that MMT program is effective in treating heroin and opiate dependence.
    KEYWORDS: Kelantan; intravenous drug users; methadone; opiate treatment index
    Study site: Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  11. Mohammadi M, Kazeminia M, Abdoli N, Khaledipaveh B, Shohaimi S, Salari N, et al.
    Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2020 Nov 23;18(1):373.
    PMID: 33225933 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01599-3
    BACKGROUND: Opioids addiction and misuse are among the major problems in the world today. There have been several preliminary studies examining the effect of methadone on depression among addicts, however, these studies have reported inconsistent and even contradictory results. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of methadone on depression in addicts in Iran and around the world, using a meta-analysis approach.

    METHODS: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis including articles published in the SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Cochrane, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched systematically to find articles published from 2006 to March 2019. Heterogeneity index was determined using the Cochran's test (Qc) and I2. Considering heterogeneity of studies, the random effects model was used to estimate the standardized difference of mean score for depression. Subsequently, the level of depression reduction in Iran and worldwide in the intervention group before and after the testwas measured.

    RESULTS: A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria, and were therefore selected for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The sample size of the intervention group in the selected studies was 1948. According to the meta-analysis results, the mean depression score in the intervention group was 26.4 ± 5.6 and 18.4 ± 2.6 before and after intervention respectively, indicating the reducing effect of methadone on depression, and this difference was statistically significant (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy*; Opioid-Related Disorders/psychology*
  12. Madden LM, Farnum SO, Bromberg DJ, Barry DT, Mazhnaya A, Fomenko T, et al.
    Addict Sci Clin Pract, 2022 Nov 26;17(1):65.
    PMID: 36435811 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00343-0
    BACKGROUND: Efficient and linguistically appropriate instruments are needed to assess response to addiction treatment, including severity of addiction/mental health status. This is critical for Russian-speaking persons in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) where Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) remain underscaled to address expanding and intertwined opioid, HIV, HCV and tuberculosis epidemics. We developed and conducted a pilot validation of a Russian version of the 24-item Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-24), an addiction/mental health severity instrument with six subscales, previously validated in English.

    METHODS: Using the Mapi approach, we reviewed, translated, and back-translated the content to Russian, pilot-tested the Russian-version (BASIS-24-R) among new MOUD patients in Ukraine (N = 283). For a subset of patients (n = 44), test-rest was performed 48 h after admission to reassess reliability of BASIS-24-R. Exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) assessed underlying structure of BASIS-24-R.

    RESULTS: Cronbach alpha coefficients for overall BASIS-24-R and 5 subscales exceeded 0.65; coefficient for Relationship subscale was 0.42. The Pearson correlation coefficients for overall score and all subscales on the BASIS-24-R exceeded 0.8. Each item loaded onto factors that corresponded with English BASIS-24 subscales ≥ 0.4 in PCA.

    CONCLUSION: Initial version of BASIS-24-R appears statistically valid in Russian. Use of the BASIS-24-R has potential to guide MOUD treatment delivery in the EECA region and help to align addiction treatment with HIV prevention goals in a region where HIV is concentrated in people who inject opioids and where healthcare professionals have not traditionally perceived MOUD as effective treatment, particularly for those with mental health co-morbidities.

    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders*
  13. Shrestha R, Weikum D, Copenhaver M, Altice FL
    AIDS Behav, 2017 Apr;21(4):1070-1081.
    PMID: 27544515 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1526-3
    Prior research has widely recognized neurocognitive impairment (NCI), depression, and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) as important negative predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLWH). No studies to date, however, have explored how these neuropsychological factors operate together and affect HRQoL. Incarcerated male PLWH (N = 301) meeting criteria for opioid dependence were recruited from Malaysia's largest prison. Standardized scales for NCI, depression, alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and HRQoL were used to conduct a moderated mediation model to explore the extent to which depression mediated the relationship between NCI, HRQoL, and AUDs using an ordinary least squares regression-based path analytic framework. Results showed that increasing levels of NCI (B = -0.1773, p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/epidemiology; Opioid-Related Disorders/psychology*
  14. Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Makarenko I, Islam Z, Filippovych S, et al.
    J Subst Abuse Treat, 2016 07;66:37-47.
    PMID: 27211995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.03.003
    Opioid agonist therapies (OAT) to treat opioid addiction in people who inject drugs (PWID) began in Ukraine in 2004. Scale-up of OAT, however, has been hampered by both low enrollment and high attrition. To better understand the factors influencing OAT retention among PWID in Ukraine, qualitative data from 199 PWIDs were collected during 25 focus groups conducted in five Ukrainian cities from February to April 2013. The experiences of PWID who were currently or previously on OAT or currently trying to access OAT were analyzed to identify entry and retention barriers encountered. Transcribed data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Individual beliefs about OAT, particularly misaligned treatment goals between clients and providers, influenced PWID's treatment seeking behaviors. Multiple programmatic and structural issues, including inconvenient hours and treatment site locations, complicated dosing regimens, inflexible medication dispensing guidelines, and mistreatment by clinic and medical staff also strongly influenced OAT retention. Findings suggest the need for both programmatic and policy-level structural changes such as revising legal regulations covering OAT dispensing, formalizing prescription dosing policies and making OAT more available through other sites, including primary care settings as a way to improve treatment retention. Quality improvement interventions that target treatment settings could also be deployed to overcome healthcare delivery barriers. Additional patient education and medical professional development around establishing realistic treatment goals as well as community awareness campaigns that address the myths and fears associated with OAT can be leveraged to overcome individual, family and community-level barriers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy*
  15. Zahari Z, Lee CS, Ibrahim MA, Musa N, Mohd Yasin MA, Lee YY, et al.
    Pain Ther, 2016 Jun;5(1):43-54.
    PMID: 26792136 DOI: 10.1007/s40122-016-0044-3
    INTRODUCTION: Methadone is a full agonist of the opioid receptor mu 1 which is encoded by the OPRM1 gene. Sleep disorders were frequently reported by opioid-dependent patients during methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). It is possible, therefore, that genetic polymorphisms in OPRM1 influence sleep quality among patients on MMT. This study investigated the association of OPRM1 polymorphisms with sleep quality among opioid-dependent patients on MMT.
    METHODS: The sleep quality of 165 male opioid-dependent patients receiving MMT was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). DNA was extracted from whole blood and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping.
    RESULTS: Patients with IVS2 + 691 CC genotype had higher PSQI scores [mean (SD) = 5.73 (2.89)] compared to those without the IVS2 + 691 CC genotype (IVS2 + 691 GG/GC genotype) [4.92 (2.31)], but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.081). Patients with combined 118 AA genotype and IVS2 + 691 GC genotype (AC/AG diplotype) had significantly lower PSQI scores [mean (SD) = 4.25 (2.27)] compared to those without the diplotype [5.68 (2.77)] (p = 0.018).
    CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the AC/AG diplotype for the 118A>G and IVS2 + 691G>C polymorphisms of OPRM1 gene is associated with better sleep quality among males with opioid dependence on MMT.
    KEYWORDS: AC/AG diplotype; Male patients; Methadone; Methadone maintenance therapy; OPRM1; Opioid dependence; Opioid receptor; Opioid receptor, mu 1 gene; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Sleep quality
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  16. Marienfeld C, Chawarski M
    Acad Psychiatry, 2016 Jun;40(3):507-13.
    PMID: 26626791 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-015-0438-2
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation*
  17. Singh D, Chawarski MC, Schottenfeld R, Vicknasingam B
    J Food Drug Anal, 2013 Dec;21(4):S46-S51.
    PMID: 25278737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2013.09.033
    Heroin continues to be the main drug used in Malaysia, while amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) have been recently identified as a growing problem. A cumulative total of 300,241 drug users were detected between 1988 and 2006. It is also estimated that Malaysia has 170,000 injecting drug users. HIV prevalence among drug users in the country ranges from 25% to 45%. Currently, there are approximately 380 general medical practice offices that offer agonist maintenance treatments for approximately 10,000 patients. There are 27,756 active patients in 333 general medical practice offices and government-run methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) centers. The Needle Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) reached out to 34,244 injection drug users (IDUs) in 2011. In the last 2 years (2011 and 2012) the number of detected drug addicts decreased from 11,194 to 9015. The arrests made by the police related to opiate and cannabis use increased from 41,363 to 63,466 between the years 2008 and 2010, but decreased since 2010. An almost four-fold increase in the number of ATS and ketamine users was detected from 2006 (21,653 users) 2012 (76,812). Between 2004 and 2010, the yearly seizures for heroin ranged between 156 to 270 kg. However, in 2010 and 2011, heroin seizures showed a significant increase of 445kg and 410.02 kg, respectively. There has been a seizure of between 600 to 1000kg of syabu yearly from 2009 to 2012. Similar to heroin, increased seizures for Yaba have also been observed over the last 2 years. A significant increase has also been recorded for the seizures of ecstasy pills from 2011 (47,761 pills) to 2012 (634,573 pills). The cumulative number of reported HIV infections since 1986 is 94,841. In 2011, sexual activity superseded injection drug use as the main transmission factor for the epidemic. HIV in the country mainly involves males, as they constitute 90% of cumulative HIV cases and a majority of those individuals are IDUs. However, HIV infection trends are shifting from males to females. There are 37,306 people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are eligible for treatment, and 14,002 PLHIV were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in 2011. The decreasing trend of heroin users who have been detected and arrested could be due to the introduction of medical treatments and harm reduction approaches for drug users, resulting in fewer drug users being arrested. However, we are unable to say with certainty why there has been an increase in heroin seizures in the country. There has been an increasing trend in both ATS users and seizures. A new trend of co-occurring opiate dependence and ATS underscores the need to develop and implement effective treatments for ATS, co-occurring opiate and ATS, and polysubstance abuse disorders. The low numbers of NSEP clients being tested for HIV underscores our caution in interpreting the decline of HIV infections among drug users and the importance of focusing on providing education, prevention, treatment, and outreach to those who are not in treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  18. Nurulhuda M.H., Najwa Haneem M., Khairi C.M., Norwati D., Aniza A.A.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Substance abuse is both a social and public health problem with a substantial burden to society. Opioid dependence results in unemployment, crimes, family disruption, and transmission of diseases. In Malaysia, methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) has been introduced as a harm reduction method. However, relapse during treatment remains an issue to be resolved that hinders successful outcome in the therapy. Spirituality in the treatment of substance abuse disorders has yet to be fully explored. This study aims to examine how MMT clients who relapsed perceive spiritual deficits as an influence and association of spiritual practice with relapse. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done from June-July 2016. All MMT clients undergoing therapy at 3 treatment centers in Terengganu, Malaysia who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and consented were included in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was filled via face to face interview and spiritual practice was assessed using Hatta Islamic Religiosity Scale. 121 questionnaires were assessed and data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 for quantitative data. Results: All respondents were males of Malay race and Islamic religion. Current relapse, defined as any episode of intake of opioid for the past one month after a period of abstinence was 34%. Only three out of 42 clients who relapsed had some spirituality theme in their perceived cause of their relapse. However, a significant majority of those relapsed had a spiritual practice score of less than the mean practice score. Conclusion: Relapse in opioid addiction remains high in those receiving MMT in Terengganu, Malaysia. Spirituality may have a subconscious influence towards relapse in addiction in MMT clients. Further effort should be taken to inculcate spirituality intervention effective to prevent relapse which may contribute towards achieving a more successful therapy outcomes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  19. Zahari Z, Inrahim MA, Tan SC, Mohamad N, Ismail R
    Turk J Med Sci, 2016 Dec 20;46(6):1743-1748.
    PMID: 28081321 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1507-132
    BACKGROUND/AIM: Sleep disturbances may contribute to poor treatment outcomes in opioid-dependent patients. The extent to which the sleep profiles of opioid-dependent patients differ from those of the general Malaysian population is not documented. This study compared opioid-naive subjects and opioid-dependent patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in terms of their sleep quality.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants comprised Malay male opioid-naive subjects (n = 159) and opioid-dependent patients (n = 160) from MMT clinics in Kelantan, Malaysia, between March and October 2013. Sleep quality was evaluated using the translated and validated Malay version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

    RESULTS: The opioid-dependent patients exhibited higher global PSQI scores [adjusted mean (95% CI) = 5.46 (5.02, 5.90)] than the opioid-naive group [4.71 (4.26, 5.15)] [F (1, 313) = 4.77, P = 0.030].

    CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the poorer sleep quality among opioid-dependent patients on MMT, as manifested by their higher global PSQI scores. The sleep complaints in this patient population are a factor to consider and, when necessary, sleep evaluation and treatment should be undertaken to improve MMT patients' quality of sleep and overall treatment outcome.

    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders
  20. Yee A, Loh HS, Ng CG, Sulaiman AH
    Am J Mens Health, 2018 07;12(4):1016-1022.
    PMID: 29493379 DOI: 10.1177/1557988318759197
    Low sexual desire (SD) is not life threatening, but its negative impact on the quality of life and intimacy of a relationship among the patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is significant. This cross-sectional study involved 183 men on MMT who were interviewed and who completed the Malay version of the SDI-2 (SDI-2-BM), the Malay version of the self-rated Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-BM) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaires. Findings showed 32.8% ( n = 60) participants had low SD. Those who were older, had sexual partners, and were smokers achieved lower scores in both dyadic SD (≤24) and solitary SD (≤6), and suffered lower quality of life in their social relationship. MMT is very cost-effective in rehabilitating opioid dependence; however, as clinicians, we need to address and manage the issues of low SD and depression among patients on MMT, especially the older men.
    Matched MeSH terms: Opioid-Related Disorders/complications; Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy*
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