Estimating the Prevalence and Impact of Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in 2 European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Patient Survey

Valerie S. L. Williams, Ph.D.; David S. Baldwin, D.M., F.R.C.Psych.; Susan L. Hogue, Pharm.D., M.P.H.; Sheri E. Fehnel, Ph.D.; Kelly A. Hollis, B.S.; and Heather M. Edin, M.S.P.H.

Objective: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of antidepressant treatment, but recognition of the problem is variable. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and impact of sexual dysfunction during antidepressant treatment in 2 European countries.

Method: A cross-sectional survey of 502 adults in France and the United Kingdom. All participants were diagnosed with depression and taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), starting within the previous 3 months. Information was gathered about other medications and conditions known to impair sexual functioning, recent changes in sexual functioning, and the impact of any changes. The Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale were administered to measure health status and sexual functioning. Data were collected from June to July of 2002.

Results: Applying a prevalence estimate algorithm, 26.6% of the French sample and 39.2% of the U.K. sample were classified as having antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction; 34.2% of men and 32.5% of women were classified with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. There was no clear pattern of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction related to specific antidepressants. Patients with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction reported that changes in sexual functioning negatively affected their self-esteem, mood, and relationships with sexual partners. 23.8% of the French sample and 25.2% of the U.K. sample reported that they perceived that their partner was dissatisfied with their sex life.

Conclusion: The prevalence of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in this study is similar to previous estimates reported in the literature. The impact of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction is substantial and negatively affects quality of life, self-esteem, mood, and relationships with sexual partners.

(J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67:204-210)

Received July 12, 2005; accepted Nov. 28, 2005. From RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (Drs. Williams and Fehnel and Ms. Hollis); School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom (Dr. Baldwin); and GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (Dr. Hogue and Ms. Edin).

This research was funded by a grant from GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Dr. Baldwin is an employee of the University of Southampton; has been a consultant to Lundbeck, Eli Lilly, Servier, and GlaxoSmithKline; has received grant/research support from Lundbeck, Wyeth, Servier, and Vernalis; has received honoraria from Lundbeck and GlaxoSmithKline; and has served on the speakers or advisory boards of Lundbeck, Eli Lilly, and Servier. Dr. Hogue and Ms. Edin are employees of Global Health Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline. Drs. Williams and Fehnel and Ms. Hollis report no additional financial or other relationships relevant to the subject of this article.

Corresponding author and reprints: Valerie S. L. Williams, Ph.D., RTI Health Solutions, 3040 Cornwallis Rd., P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 (e-mail: vwilliams@rti.org).