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Background: Depression is a pervasive mental health issue that significantly affects individuals' quality of life, often accompanied by sexual dysfunction. Previous research has highlighted the complex relationship between depression and sexual dysfunction, but there remains a need for further investigation into their co-occurrence and the impact of treatment modalities on these conditions. Objective: This study aims to explore the prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction among depressed patients, examine the correlation between the severity of depression and sexual dysfunction, and assess the effects of different medication regimens on sexual health. Methods: A descriptive study design was employed, examining 250 depressed patients seeking treatment at the Psychiatry Ward and Outpatient Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from September 2022 to August 2023. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, with inclusion criteria being individuals aged 18 years and above, diagnosed with depression according to DSM-5 criteria. The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were administered to evaluate sexual dysfunction and depression severity, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients to analyze the data. Results: The study found that 48% of participants experienced significant sexual dysfunction in the domain of desire, with 68% of participants having moderate to severe depression. A strong correlation was observed between the severity of depression and sexual dysfunction, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.65 for desire, 0.72 for arousal, and 0.68 for satisfaction (p<0.001 for all). Medication analysis revealed that 45% of patients on antidepressants, 60% on antipsychotics, and 50% on combination therapy reported sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: The findings confirm the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among depressed individuals and its strong association with the severity of depression. The study underscores the necessity of adopting an integrated treatment approach that addresses both depression and sexual dysfunction, highlighting the importance of considering the side effects of psychiatric medications on sexual health.
Khan et al. (Sat,) studied this question.