body composition changes associated with methadone treatment

Background: methadone is associated with a statistically significant increase in bmi in the first 2 years of treatment. objectives: to evaluate the changes of body composition (bone mass, % fat, % muscle mass, % water, and basal metabolic rate) related to this increase. patients and methods: changes in body composition were monitored, via bioelectrical impedance, in 29 patients in methadone treatment for opiate dependency (age 18 to 44, mean = 29.3, sd = 7.0, 13 men, 16 women). results: within one year from admission to treatment, a statistically significant (t-tests, p < 0.05) increase was noted in their body mass index (bmi), % of body fat, average body mass, and average basal metabolic rate, and relative decrease in their % of muscle mass and % of bone mass. neither absolute bone mass nor muscle mass changed significantly. conclusions: physicians involved in care of methadone patients should recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to improve their overall health.