Female sexual dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and its association with serotonin 2A-1438 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms

Identifying genetic variants associated with side effects of antidepressant treatment: A systematic review

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent neurobiological disorders globally. Antidepressant medications are the first-line treatment for managing symptoms. However, over time, pharmacotherapy has been linked to several challenges, primarily due to the wide array of side effects that often reduce patient adherence to treatment. The literature suggests that these side effects may be influenced by polymorphisms in genes related to the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antidepressants. Thus, this systematic review aimed to identify studies that investigated the association between genetic variants and side effects resulting from antidepressant treatment in individuals with MDD. Original articles indexed in the electronic databases Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Scopus were identified. A total of 55 studies were included in the review, and data regarding the outcomes of interest were extracted. Due to the exploratory nature of the review, a narrative/descriptive synthesis of the results was performed. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tools, tailored to the design of each study. Polymorphisms in 35 genes were statistically associated with the development of side effects. A subsequent Protein-Protein Interaction Network analysis helped elucidate the key biological pathways involved in antidepressant side effects, with a view toward exploring the potential application of pharmacogenetic markers in clinical practice.

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its association with psychological symptoms in drug-naive major depressive disorder patients in West China

Background

Sexual dysfunction is commonly observed in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), along with various psychological symptoms such as anxiety, somatic complaints, interpersonal sensitivity, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. However, there is a research gap in understanding the impact of these psychological symptoms on sexual functioning in MDD. Furthermore, there is limited data on the incidence of sexual dysfunction among drug-naive MDD patients in West China. This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in this patient population and explore its association with other psychological indicators.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient data from October 2020 to September 2022 using propensity score matching. A focused group of 165 males and 490 females was selected from a total of 1941 MDD patients. This allowed for a comparative analysis of demographic data, as well as scores from the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX).

Results

Our findings reveal that 46.2% of drug-naive MDD patients experienced sexual dysfunction. Notably, there was a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction among female patients (50.3%) compared to males (37.5%). MDD patients without sexual dysfunction consistently exhibited higher SDS scores than those with sexual dysfunction (p < 0.01), There were no statistically significant differences between male and female MDD patients with or without concomitant sexual dysfunction in terms of Somatic complaints, Obsessive-compulsive, Interpersonal sensitivity, Anxiety, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid ideation, Psychoticism and Diet/sleep difficulties (p > 0.05). In addition, male MDD patients with sexual dysfunction showed a emerging trend towards elevated Hostility scores on the SCL-90 (p = 0.058), male MDD patients with sexual dysfunction showed an increasing trend in hostility scores on the SCL-90, whereas female MDD patients with sexual dysfunction did not show such a trend.

Conclusion

The study highlights a significant gender difference in the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among MDD patients, with females being more susceptible than males. There is a positive correlation between the severity of depression and sexual dysfunction in both genders. Interestingly, male MDD patients demonstrated a potential protective effect of hostility against sexual dysfunction, which was not observed in female patients.

Genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities during treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a genome-wide association study

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed both to patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Previous studies have shown associations between SSRI treatment and cardiometabolic alterations. The aim of the present study was to investigate genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic adverse effects in patients treated with SSRIs in a naturalistic setting, using a genome-wide cross-sectional approach in a genetically homogeneous sample. We included and genotyped 1981 individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, of whom 1180 had information available on the outcomes low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triglycerides, and body mass index (BMI) and investigated interactions between SNPs and SSRI use (N = 246) by conducting a genome-wide GxE analysis. We report 13 genome-wide significant interaction effects of SNPs and SSRI serum concentrations on LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and BMI, located in four distinct genomic loci. This study provides new insight into the pharmacogenetics of SSRI but warrants replication in independent populations.

Serotonergic receptor gene polymorphism and response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in ethnic Malay patients with first episode of major depressive disorder

The polymorphisms of the 5HTR1A and 5HTR2A receptor genes (rs6295C/G and rs6311G/A) have been evaluated for association with SSRI treatment outcome in various populations with different results. The present study was carried out to determine the association between genotypes of HTR1A-rs6295 and HTR2A-rs6311 with SSRI treatment outcome among the ethnic Malay patients diagnosed with first-episode major depressive disorder (MDD). The patients were recruited from four tertiary hospitals in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. Predefined efficacy phenotypes based on 25% (partial early response) and 50% (clinical efficacy response) reduction in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale-self Rated score (MADRS-S) were adopted for assessment of treatment efficacy in this study. Self-reporting for adverse effects (AE) was documented using the Patient Rated Inventory of Side Effect (PRISE) after treatment with SSRI for up to 6 weeks. Adjusted binary logistic regression between genotypes of the polymorphism obtained using sequencing technique with the treatment outcome phenotypes was performed. The 142 patients recruited were made up of 96 females (67.6%) and 46 males (32.4%). Clinical efficacy and Partial early response phenotypes were not significantly associated with genotypes of HTR1A and HTR2A polymorphism. The GG genotype of HTR2A polymorphism has decreased odds for dizziness (CNS) and increased odds for poor concentration. The GA genotype increases the odd for excessive sweating, diarrhoea, constipation and blurred vision. The CC genotype of HTR1A-rs6295 decreases the odd for nausea/vomiting and increases the odd for anxiety. Thus, some genotypes of HTR1A and HTR2A polymorphism were associated with SSRI treatment outcomes in ethnic Malay MDD patients.

Introducing sexual dysfunction in mental care

Introduction: People with any psychiatric disorder tend to have difficulties in responding sexually. However,sexual dysfunction (SD) is usually under-recognized, even the tightly hormonal and neuronal common connexions through the brain-sex axis. Multiple sources of resistance to SD assessment and intervention persist. Areas covered: The present review aims to underline the feasibility to introduce SD evaluation in patients with any psychiatric disorders, evaluating the potential mutual benefits of their management. Expert opinion: Women and men living with mental disorders frequently display sexual difficulties; however, some of them consider sexuality as a relevant parameter of their quality of life. In fact, SD as a side effect is a frequent reason for stopping the intake of medication. What is more, a holistic approach integrating sexual function could foster a better understanding of mental pathologies due to a common origin of pathogenesis. This could improve care quality, in keeping with the global tendency toward the development of personalized medicine. Consistently, the integration of SD assessment is highly recommended in mental health, all the more so when a psychotropic drug is prescribed. An expected consequence would be a reconstruction of the healthcare professional's consideration for the sexuality of people experiencing mental disorders.

Associations between the 1438A/G, 102T/C, and rs7997012G/A polymorphisms of HTR2A and the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in depression: a meta-analysis

The correlations between hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene polymorphisms (1438A/G, 102T/C, and rs7997012G/A) and the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in depression patients were constantly reported, but conclusions are debatable. This meta-analysis ascertained forty-two studies on the efficacy (including response and remission) and side-effect issued before February 2020. Pooled analyses indicated significant associations of 1438A/G polymorphism (16 studies, 1931 subjects) and higher response within dominant model (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12-1.76); rs7997012G/A polymorphism (nine studies, 1434 subjects) and higher remission in overall models (dominant model: OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.66; recessive model: OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.53-3.16; homozygote model: OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.78-4.17); 102T/C polymorphism (eight studies, 804 subjects) and reduced risk of side-effect within recessive (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.4-0.83) and homozygote models (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29-0.99). For depression patients, genotyping of HTR2A polymorphisms is a promising tool for estimating the outcome and side-effect of antidepressants.

Impact of Antidepressant Drugs on Sexual Function and Satisfaction

Pleasurable sexual activity is important in many human relationships and can provide a sense of physical, emotional and social well-being. Depressive symptoms and depressive illness are associated with impairments in sexual function and sexual dissatisfaction in untreated and treated patients. Most currently available antidepressant drugs are associated with development or worsening of sexual dysfunction in a substantial proportion of patients. Sexual difficulties during antidepressant treatment often resolve as depression lifts, but can persist over long periods, reducing self-esteem and affecting mood and relationships adversely. Sexual difficulties during antidepressant treatment typically have many possible causes but the incidence and nature of dysfunction varies between drugs. Many interventions can be considered when managing sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants but no approach is 'ideal'. Because treatment-emergent sexual difficulties are less frequent with certain drugs, presumably related to differences in pharmacological properties, and since current interventions are suboptimal, a lower incidence of sexual dysfunction is a relevant tolerability target when developing novel antidepressants.