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Psychiatric comorbidity among patients on methadone maintenance therapy and its influence on quality of life
Author(s) -
Teoh Bing Fei Joni,
Yee Anne,
Habil Mohamad Hussain Bin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12317
Subject(s) - comorbidity , psychiatry , quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , psychiatric comorbidity , personality disorders , methadone maintenance , substance abuse , epidemiology of child psychiatric disorders , confounding , clinical psychology , methadone , personality , psychology , social psychology , nursing
Background and Objectives Co‐occurring psychiatric disorders are among the difficulties faced by patients with opioid dependence on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). This study aims to assess the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among patients on MMT, the factors predicting psychiatric comorbidity and to examine the association between psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life. Methods A total of 225 male patients on MMT in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia were assessed for psychiatric comorbidity and substance use disorders using the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and Opiate Treatment Index (OTI). Their quality of life was assessed using World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)‐BREF. Results The prevalence of a current and lifetime non‐substance use Axis I psychiatric disorder was 14.2% and 15.6% respectively, while 14.7% fulfilled the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. 80.9% had comorbid substance dependence, predominantly nicotine dependence. Factors significantly associated with a non‐substance use Axis I psychiatric disorder on multivariate analysis were use of psychiatric medications, antisocial personality disorder and poorer physical health. Patients with a non‐substance use Axis I psychiatric disorder had a significantly poorer quality of life in all domains namely physical health, psychological, social relationships, environment as well as combined quality of life and general health after controlling for possible confounders. Conclusion Psychiatric comorbidity among patients on MMT negatively impacts quality of life. Scientific Significance The detection of psychiatric disorders and provision of appropriate treatment is needed to improve the quality of life of patients on MMT. (Am J Addict 2016;25:49–55)