Sexual Dysfunction in Treatment Naïve Male Patients with Depressive Disorder : A Cross-sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is commonly encountered in general population; however the rate is much higher in patients with co morbid depressive disorder. The data of sexual dysfunction with depressive disorder when compared to general population is lacking in Indian context. The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess and compare the sexual dysfunction and its various domains in cases of depressive disorder as compared to age, sex and socioeconomically matched control group from hospital staff. Both cases and controls were selected by systemic random sampling. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used for assessing severity of depression and Sexual Function Questionnaireas well as Sexual Health Inventory of Men was used for measuring sexual dysfunction. It was found that patient with depressive disorder had increased rate of overall sexual dysfunction as compared to general population and there was positive correlation of various domains of sexual dysfunction like desire, erection and ejaculation with the severity of depression. This study depicted that cases of depression not getting any form of treatment were found to have 2-3 times higher chances of having sexual dysfunction as compared to age and sex matched controls.