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Cardiorespiratory function in stable methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients
Harry Teichtahl1, David Wang, David Cunnington
1Department of Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Medicine, Western Hospital, Victoria, Australia. Harry.Teichtahl@wh.org.au
Addiction Biology
|October 30, 2004
Summary
Stable patients in methadone maintenance programmes (MMT) frequently show abnormal cardiorespiratory function. Smoking tobacco and cannabis are likely contributors to these respiratory issues in MMT patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cardiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Patients in methadone maintenance programmes (MMT) often exhibit concurrent substance use, including tobacco and cannabis.
- There is a recognized potential for cardiorespiratory dysfunction in this population, yet limited research exists on stable MMT patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess resting cardiorespiratory function in a cohort of stable patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.
- To identify the prevalence and nature of cardiorespiratory abnormalities in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 50 stable MMT patients (25 male, 25 female) for resting cardiorespiratory function.
- Defined respiratory function abnormalities based on 95% confidence intervals of reference values, adjusted for covariates.
- Utilized spirometry, gas transfer measurements, arterial blood gas analysis, chest X-ray, echocardiography, and ECG.
Main Results:
- 62% of patients had reduced carbon monoxide transfer factor (D(L)CO); 86% had a reduced D(L)CO/V(A) ratio.
- 34% showed elevated single breath alveolar volume (V(A)).
- 18% presented with an obstructive ventilatory defect; 20% had elevated PaCO2; 28% had an increased alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient (A-aPO2).
Conclusions:
- Stable MMT patients demonstrate significant resting respiratory function abnormalities.
- Ongoing tobacco and current/past cannabis use are implicated as potential causes for these observed respiratory deficits.