Anxiety and Depression in the Patients Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Therapy

Anxiety and depression are common psychiatric problems among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients. On the one hand، these will lead to a worse prognosis and therapeutic consequences and on the other hand، their early and on time diagnosis and treatment would enhance the recovery and improve the quality of life. To evaluate the frequency of anxiety and depression in the patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in MMT clinic of Shafa hospital in 1391. In doing so، 150 male patients، within the age range of 18-60 years who were on methadone maintenance therapy were entered into the study. After completion a demographic questionnaire، patients filled Beck anxiety and depression inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Statistical difference less than 0. 05 was considered significant. From the 150 patients، 74 patients (49. 3%) had anxiety and 75 patients (50%) depression. There was a significant correlation between younger age، being single، higher dose of methadone and urban residents with anxiety (P<0. 05). Also، higher dose of methadone، being single، urban residents and family history of psychiatric disorders were correlated with depression (P< 0. 05). This study showed that some factors such as being single، high dose of methadone and being urban residents have a significant association with anxiety and depression among the patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy.