Frequency of Sexual Dysfunction among Patients Receiving Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37762/jgmds.13-3.858Keywords:
Sexual dysfunction, SSRI, Antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake InhibitorsAbstract
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction among patients undergoing SSRI treatment.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, MTI Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from December 2023 to June 2024. Using non-probability consecutive sampling, 288 patients aged 20-40 years receiving SSRIs for at least 12 weeks for various psychiatric disorders were enrolled. Patients with severe medical illnesses, substance dependence, or pre-existing sexual dysfunction were excluded. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square test was applied, and p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 27.20±5.40 years. The mean duration of SSRI use was 2.61±1.12years. The p-value >.05 indicated that there is no statistically significant correlation between SSRI duration (1-3 years vs. >3 years) and sexual dysfunction. Among the participants who had sexual dysfunction, 56 (62.2%) were male, while 34 (37.8%) were female and aged 2-30 years, but the association was not statistically significant (χ² = 1.34, p = 0.246, φ = 0.07). The chi-square result shows no statistically significant difference between demographic and clinical variables and sexual dysfunction, and the effect size shows a very small association.
CONCLUSION
A substantial proportion of patients receiving SSRIs experienced sexual dysfunction, highlighting the need for routine screening and counseling in psychiatric practice.
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