Effect of drug naïve versus escitalopram on sexual function of depressed females: A cross-sectional comparative study

Objectives

We aimed in the current cross-sectional study to evaluate rates and patterns of SD among drug naïve women with mild to moderate depression against those receiving escitalopram.

Study design

Group (A) included 120 females diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. Group (B) served as controls included 60 age-matched volunteers.

Main outcome measures

Female participants were evaluated by the validated Arabic female sexual function index (ArFSFI), perceived stress situation scale (PSS), patient health questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) and center for epidemiological studies-depression scale (CES-D).

Results

The study demonstrated that females with mild to moderate depression treated with escitalopram had better sexual function than those who were drug naïve. Additionally, treated females got better scores of PSS, CES-D and PHQ-9 compared to those who were drug naïve. The PSS and the CES-D and the PHQ-9 scales negatively correlated with the domains of desire, pain, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and total score of FSFI. Finally, a linear regression analysis after adjustment of FSFI as a dependent variable had revealed that the PSS scale, the PHQ-9 scale and the international index of erectile function-5 were significant independent predictors of the affected females’ sexual function.

Conclusion

Escitalopram is associated with lesser risk of SD in females with mild to moderate depression.