Sexual function improves as depressive symptoms decrease during treatment with escitalopram: results of a naturalistic study of patients with major depressive disorder

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is closely associated with sexual dysfunction, which may worsen during treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) due to the side effects of pharmacologic treatment. Aim: To examine the association between sexual function and severity of MDD in drug-naive patients as compared with healthy controls and how treatment with SSRIs affects sexual function over time in individuals with MDD. Interaction with gender and treatment response was examined. Methods: In 92 patients with MDD, we measured MDD severity with 6- and 17-item versions of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS6 and HDRS17) and the level of sexual function with the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiating treatment with escitalopram. Baseline sexual function was compared with the sexual function of 73 healthy controls. Linear regression models were used to assess differences in sexual function between healthy controls and patients and change in sexual function from baseline to week 12. Linear mixed models were used to assess differences in change in sexual function between treatment response groups. Outcomes: Outcomes included total scores on the HDRS6, HDRS17, and Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and changes in total scores from baseline to week 12. Results: Unmedicated patients with MDD reported impaired sexual function as compared with healthy controls. Level of sexual function was not associated with severity of MDD at baseline. Patients' sexual function improved significantly during treatment, which was coupled with amelioration of depressive symptoms. Treatment response groups (remitters, intermediate responders, nonresponders) did not predict change in sexual function. Gender had no effect on sexual dysfunction symptoms during treatment. Clinical Implications: Major depression is a risk factor for sexual problems, and improvement in sexual function was coupled with amelioration of depressive symptoms. Strengths and Limitations: Among its strengths, this was a naturalistic study reflecting real-world settings in clinical practice. It additionally included a baseline measurement of sexual function and MDD severity on drug-naive patients prior to the initiation of treatment. Finally, the follow-up of 12 weeks extends beyond the acute phase of treatment in which previous research has observed a peak in sexual side effects. In terms of limitations, there was no placebo arm; thus, the study cannot attribute the effects on sexual function to treatment with antidepressants per se. Also, the patients were young, which may have served as a protective factor against sexual side effects. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction was strongly associated with MDD and improved in parallel with overall symptoms of depression across a standard 12-week treatment with SSRI antidepressants.

Automated summary

Sexual dysfunction is closely associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), and treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may worsen sexual dysfunction. However, this study found that sexual function improved during treatment and was linked to the improvement of depressive symptoms.