Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Introduction
Sexual dysfunction is a common yet under-recognized consequence of alcohol dependence, which can lead to an overall poor quality of life. This study aims to estimate the extent and pattern of sexual dysfunction among patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods
This is a hospital-based, descriptive study among 66 patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome visiting the psychiatry department of Kathmandu Medical College. Severity of alcohol dependence was assessed using the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ). The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) male and female version was used to assess the different domains of sexual experiences. Data was entered in excel and analyzed using R programming and appropriate statistical tools were applied.

Results
The mean age of participants was 43.09±10.09 years with the majority being male.55% of the participants had severe dependence, and 62.1% had sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was found to be associated with age, ethnicity, severity and duration of alcohol dependence and quantity of alcohol consumed per day. Erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire were the most common sexual dysfunctions among males, whereas low sexual desire, difficulty in sexual arousal and reaching orgasm were the most common sexual dysfunctions among females.

Conclusion
Sexual dysfunction was observed in more than half of the patients with alcohol dependence syndrome.