[Changes in sexual function in mirtazapine treatment. Primary data of a national, multicenter, prospective observational study in depressed patients].
OBJECTIVE
It is a well-known fact, that in most of the psychiatric diseases problems can break out on the field of sexual life as well, which frequently occurs particularly in depression. The problems can be even worse, because of the side effects of the antidepressants causing sexual dysfunction. Nowadays there are some new antidepressants, which have more favourable side effect profiles. The aim of this study was to follow up the occuring side effects during mirtazapine treatment with special regard to incidence of sexual problems.


METHODS
Altogether 102 outpatients (44 men, 58 women) were recruited to this prospective, observational, non-interventional study, who were suffering from depression and had stable partner, permanent sexual life and who signed the informed consent. The screening was followed by three visits, when the 17-HAMD, CGI and 9-BDI scales were used. The change of sexual life was monitored by a self- completing questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the depression rating scales and the CGI have shown a significant mood improvement. From monitoring the changes in sexual life it turned out, that patients reported sexual problems much rarer as they had done it at the beginning of the study (screening: 93.2%, one month later 61%, three months later 27.1%, at the end of the study only 24.6%) Patients were evaluating their sexual life better and better during the study, and parallel to this, frequency of sexual intercourse was also increased. On the basis of the results it can be established, that mirtazapine is an effective tool for even those depressed patients who suffer from sexual dysfunction. Together with curing the depression and improving the sexual life mirtazapine can also help to restore the good quality of life.
Osváth
Péter
P
PTE AOK, OEC Pszichiátriai és Pszichoterápiás Klinika.
Fekete
Sándor
S
Vörös
Viktor
V
Almási
János
J
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003075:Coitus; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D009819:Office Visits; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008803:Mianserin; D000078785:Mirtazapine