Successful treatment of erectile dysfunction in depressed men can lead to marked improvement in depression. (Am. J.of Psychiatry, Oct-2001)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/2001/10/EDYSFXN.APA.html
2-Oct-01
Study Finds Link Between Treatment
of Erectile Dysfunction and Depression
Washington, D.C. - Successful treatment
of erectile dysfunction in depressed men can lead to marked improvement
in depression, according to a study published in the October 2001 American
Journal of Psychiatry, the monthly scientific journal of the American Psychiatric
Association.
Depression and erectile dysfunction
are highly prevalent and frequently coexisting conditions in middle-aged
and elderly men. Erectile problems affect more than 18 million men in the
United States alone, according to the American Foundation for Urologic
Disease. Erectile dysfunction increases progressively with age and men
with cardiovascular risk factors are particularly susceptible.
The study - which found a strong
correlation between change in erectile dysfunction and change in depressive
symptoms - did not determine whether the depression caused erectile dysfunction,
or erectile dysfunction caused the depression.
Researchers, led by Stuart N. Seidman,
M.D., of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University, conducted
a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial at 20 urologic clinics to evaluate
the effects of sildenafil treatment in men who have erectile dysfunction
and mild to moderate depressive illness.
Men who responded to treatment -
whether they received sildenafil or placebo - showed a clinically significant
improvement in depressive symptoms and quality of life measures, compared
with subjects whose erectile dysfunction did not respond to treatment.
The study suggests that depression can be a consequence of erectile dysfunction
in some men.
Whether improvement in depressive
symptoms will be maintained over a longer period of time - or whether symptomatic
improvement would occur at all in patients with major depressive disorder
- is not known.
["Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
in Men with Depressive Symptoms: Results of a Placebo-Controlled Trial
with Sildenafil Citrate," by Stuart N. Seidman, M.D., p. 1623, American
Journal of Psychiatry, October 2001.] Note: The study was supported by
Pfizer, Inc.
The American Psychiatric Association
is a national medical specialty society, founded in 1844, whose 38,000
physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of mental illnesses including substance use disorders.
September 26, 2001
Contact: Amy Levey
© 1995-2001 Newswise
American Psychiatric Association
Release No. 01-60
EMBARGOED UNTIL October 1, 2001
202/682-6119
alevey@psych.org