title: Evaluation of Changes in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms, and Sexual Functions in Patients Receiving Antidepressants: 3 Months-Long Naturalistic Follow-Up Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to study the change in sexual functions within 3 months period following the initiation of antidepressant treatment in psychiatry outpatients, and its relationship with the change in anxiety and depression symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty two patients, who consecutively applied to the psychiatry outpatient clinic and who were prescribed antidepressants, were included in the study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, General Assessment of Functioning Scale and Arizona Sexual Experience Questionnaire (ASEC) were administered to the patients at the first interview, then repeated on a monthly basis during 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty seven of the patients (69.50 %) has been diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions prior to the antidepressant treatment. During the third month after the antidepressant treatment, 24 patients in this group (42.11%) showed no impairment in ASEC scores, whereas 33 patients' (57.89%) scores were still at impairment level. Eight patients out of 25 (32%) who weren't diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions prior to the treatment were later diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions. Sexual dysfunctions correlated with patients' level of functioning, separately from anxiety and depression symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study results show that the sexual dysfunction rate is quite high in psychiatric patients population. However, sexual dysfunctions rate which can be related to antidepressant treatment is 36%. It would be appropriate for clinicians to determine benefit-loss balance by considering patients' mental syndromes together with sexual functions.
authors.forename: Müge
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genek Ülgen
authors.forename: Gülcan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Güleç
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents