Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is common but not often assessed in the routine clinical care among
males on opiate substitute treatment. Objective: To determine the association between clinical variables
and erectile dysfunction (ED) among men on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). Methods: A
cross-sectional study involving 108 participants who attended the Drug Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
The instruments used include the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorder (SCID-I),
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15). Results:
Concurrent heroin abuse was significantly associated with presence of ED (p=0.024). Treatment factors
including methadone dose and duration of methadone treatment were not significantly associated with
ED. Conclusion: Education on sexual dysfunction as a potential adverse effect and its association
with illicit heroin use should be considered in the doctor-patient consultation to encourage treatment
adherence and abstinence from heroin.