Evaluation of changes in anxiety and depression symptoms, and sexual functions in patients receiving antidepressants; 3 months- long naturalistic follow-up study

Abstract

Objective: In this study we evaluated if antidepressant treatment in relationship with the change in anxiety and depression leads to changes in sexual functions. Material and Method: Eighty-two patients, whom started antidepressants, were enrolled in the study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, General Assessment of Functioning Scale and Arizona Sexual Experience Questionnaire were administered to the patients at the first interview, and followed monthly for 3 months. Results: Almost 70% (n=57) of patients were diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions prior to the antidepressant treatment. After the third month of antidepressant treatment, 24 patients prior diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions showed no impairment in ASEC scores, whereas 33 patients' scores were still at impairment level. However, 8 out of 25 patients with no symptoms of sexual dysfunctions prior to the treatment were diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions during the study. Sexual dysfunctions correlated with patients' level of functioning, separately from anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusion: Our study showed that the rate of sexual dysfunction is high in psychiatric patients. However, antidepressant treatment can lead to sexual dysfunctions. It would be appropriate for clinicians to determine benefit-loss balance by considering patients' mental syndromes together with sexual functions.