ABSTRACT
Poor sleep quality was frequently reported by opioid dependence patients during methadone maintenance therapy [MMT]. The study investigated a sample of patients on MMT to investigate the severity and prevalence of sleep problems in MMT patients. We evaluated sleep quality and disturbances of 119 Malay male patients from MMT clinics in Kelantan, Malaysia between March and July 2013 using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]-Malay version. Patients' demographic, clinical data, past drug history and methadone treatment variables were recorded. Patients averaged 37.5 years of age [SD 6.79] and their mean age of first time illicit drug use was 19.3 years [SD 4.48]. Their mean age of entering MMT was 34.7 years [SD 6.92] and the mean duration in MMT was 2.8 years [SD 2.13]. The mean current daily dosage of methadone was 77.8 mg [SD 39.47] and ranged from 20 to 360 mg. The mean global PSQI score was 5.6 [SD 2.79] and 43.7% patients were identified as 'poor sleepers' [global PSQI scores >5]. This study confirms the poor overall sleep quality among patients on MMT. The prevalence and severity of sleep problems in MMT patients should not be underestimated
ABSTRACT
Background: The dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) plays a role in many diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and addictive behaviour. Methods currently available for the detection of DRD2 polymorphisms are costly and cannot detect all 8 polymorphisms of our research interest simultaneously (Val96Ala, Leu141Leu, Val154Ile, Pro310Ser, Ser311Cys, TaqI A, A-241G, and −141C Ins/Del). Therefore, we developed a nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection of these polymorphisms. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood using standardised methods. Primers specific at the 3’-end for the polymorphic sites were designed. A two-step PCR method was developed. In the first PCR, a region from exon 3 to 4, exon 7, the promoter region, and the 3’-region of DRD2 were specifically amplified. The products were subsequently used as templates in the second PCR. Sequencing was performed to validate the test results. Results: Specific bands corresponding to the amplified product of interest were obtained. The method was reproducible and specific when used to genotype patients with schizophrenia. The amplified sequences showed 100% homology to the DRD2 sequence. Conclusion: The method was found to be simple, rapid, specific, and reproducible for the simultaneous detection of the DRD2 polymorphisms.