Arianna Patacchini1, Fiammetta Cosci1,2,3. 1. Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 2. Clinical Pharmacopsychology Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 3. Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is characterized by sexual and emotional symptoms associated to the exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) or Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI). OBJECTIVE: The present study provides a comprehensive picture on demographic and clinical characteristics associated to PSSD. METHODS: An online survey was run on subjects self-declaring as affected by PSSD. The survey collected socio-demographic and clinical data via questions created ad hoc and three standardized scales (Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, World Health Organization Wellbeing Index). RESULTS: A total of 135 subjects (115 males; mean age 31.9 ± 8.9 years) was analysed. The syndrome was more represented among young, heterosexual males after the exposure to SSRI/SNRI at relatively high doses. The major findings involved the temporal sequence of symptoms: 118 subjects had symptoms both during and after SSRI/SNRI administration, and 17 only after, thus deposing for a iatrogenic action of SSRI/SNRI. Different variables, represented by both emotional and sexual symptoms, accounted for the variability of the severity of the sexual dysfunction as well as of wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present results, PSSD is a complex iatrogenic syndrome in need of being further studied and understood.
BACKGROUND: Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is characterized by sexual and emotional symptoms associated to the exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) or SerotoninNoradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI). OBJECTIVE: The present study provides a comprehensive picture on demographic and clinical characteristics associated to PSSD. METHODS: An online survey was run on subjects self-declaring as affected by PSSD. The survey collected socio-demographic and clinical data via questions created ad hoc and three standardized scales (Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, World Health Organization Wellbeing Index). RESULTS: A total of 135 subjects (115 males; mean age 31.9 ± 8.9 years) was analysed. The syndrome was more represented among young, heterosexual males after the exposure to SSRI/SNRI at relatively high doses. The major findings involved the temporal sequence of symptoms: 118 subjects had symptoms both during and after SSRI/SNRI administration, and 17 only after, thus deposing for a iatrogenic action of SSRI/SNRI. Different variables, represented by both emotional and sexual symptoms, accounted for the variability of the severity of the sexual dysfunction as well as of wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present results, PSSD is a complex iatrogenic syndrome in need of being further studied and understood.
Entities:
Keywords:
PSSD; SNRI; SSRI; Sexual dysfunction; discontinuation
Authors: Susan Ling; Felicia Ceban; Leanna M W Lui; Yena Lee; Kayla M Teopiz; Nelson B Rodrigues; Orly Lipsitz; Hartej Gill; Mehala Subramaniapillai; Rodrigo B Mansur; Kangguang Lin; Roger Ho; Joshua D Rosenblat; David Castle; Roger S McIntyre Journal: CNS Drugs Date: 2021-11-17 Impact factor: 5.749