Methadone Dose and Timing of Administration as Predictors of Sleep Apnea Syndrome During Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1. Sleep Exploration Centre, La Chartreuse Psychiatric Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France 2. Depression Unit, La Chartreuse Psychiatric Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France

2 1. Medical Mind Association, Yaoundé, Cameroon 2. Sleep Specialized Transversal Training, Psychiatry Internship Program, University of Burgundy, 21000 Dijon, France

3 1. Sleep Exploration Centre, La Chartreuse Psychiatric Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France 2. Addictology Unit, La Chartreuse Psychiatric Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France

4 Sleep Exploration Centre, La Chartreuse Psychiatric Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France

5 Pharmacy Unit, La Chartreuse Psychiatric Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France

6 Service D’épidémiologie Et D’hygiène Hospitalière, CHU Hôpital D’enfants, 14 Rue Paul 10 Gaffarel, 21079, Dijon, France

10.34172/ahj.2023.1455

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the association of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) with methadone dose and timing of 
administration in patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opioid use disorder (OUD).
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on adult patients receiving MMT who had a nocturnal 
respiratory polygraphy between November 2015 and December 2021. Data on methadone treatment and polygraph recording, 
including the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were collected.
Findings: A total of 40 patients, mostly male (72.5%), with a mean age of 35±6.7 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 
25.1±4.5 kg/m² were included. The daily dose of methadone was significantly associated with an AHI≥15 events/h as well as 
an AHI≥30 events/h, even after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, and benzodiazepine use. However, these associations were not 
preserved when the time of administration (day vs evening) was considered, while the evening administration was significantly 
associated with an AHI≥15 events/h. The best sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of AHI≥15 events/h and AHI≥30 
events/h were obtained with daily methadone doses of≥72.5 mg and 77.5 mg, respectively.
Conclusion: In this sample of MMT patients, methadone doses of 72.5 mg and 77.5 mg were the best cut-off values for predicting 
AHI≥15 and≥30 events/h, respectively, especially when taken in the evening. These results should draw clinicians’ attention to 
the importance of SAS screening, and further studies are needed, notably comparisons with buprenorphine. 

Highlights

Clément Guillet: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Francky Teddy Endomba: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

David Aravantinos: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Aymard Hussami: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Florence Beye: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Jean Claude Girod: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Ludwig Serge Aho Glélé: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

References

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Addiction & Health
Volume 15, Issue 4
October 2023
Pages 240-246

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