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Life sciences · Journal article
BMC Psychiatry · July 24, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This cross-sectional survey of 258 depressed patients at a single Saudi tertiary centre reports a prevalence of sexual dysfunction of 45.74% (ASEX) and sexual distress of 72.09% (FSDS-R), with several statistically significant associations identified (female sex, lower income, chronic disease, smoking, other psychiatric disorders). The study establishes burden in a specific population but cannot demonstrate causation and relies on convenience sampling, limiting generalisability.
Cross-sectional survey. Adults aged 18–65 years with a depressive disorder at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.. n = 258. Single tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia..
ASEX mean total score 18.04 ± 6.4; 45.74% exhibited sexual dysfunction FSDS-R mean total score 20.62 ± 14.4; 72.09% experiencing sexual distress Sexual dysfunction significantly associated with female sex (p < 0.001), lower monthly income (p = 0.004), chronic disease history (p = 0.022), and chronic disease medications (p = 0.016)
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These prevalence findings highlight the burden of sexual dysfunction and distress in depressed populations and suggest that screening and multidisciplinary assessment may be warranted, particularly in women and those with comorbid psychiatric or chronic medical illnesses. However, the cross-sectional design and convenience sampling limit confidence in causality; prospective and controlled studies are needed to validate these associations and inform intervention strategies.
Single-centre cross-sectional study using convenience sampling with no comparator group; establishes prevalence and associations but cannot infer causation and lacks the design rigour to guide clinical practice.
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Quoted from the source exactly as published.
These prevalence findings highlight the burden of sexual dysfunction and distress in depressed populations and suggest that screening and multidisciplinary assessment may be warranted, particularly in women and those with comorbid psychiatric or chronic medical illnesses. However, the cross-sectional design and convenience sampling limit confidence in causality; prospective and controlled studies are needed to validate these associations and inform intervention strategies.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction and distress are common among depressed patients and significantly affect their quality of life. This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and distress and identify potential associated factors. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with data collection from April to June, 2025. The study involved 258 participants with depression aged 18-65, recruited using a convenience sampling technique. The study tool consisted of a questionnaire we developed to assess sociodemographic and other factors and the validated Arabic versions of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) to measure sexual distress and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) to evaluate sexual functioning. RESULTS: The ASEX mean total score was 18.04 ± 6.4, with 45.74% of participants exhibiting sexual dysfunction. A statistically significant relation was found between sexual dysfunction and female sex (p < 0.001), lower monthly income (p = 0.004), history of chronic diseases (p = 0.022), taking medications for them (p = 0.016), and experiencing physical symptoms (p = 0.001). The FSDS-R mean total score was 20.62 ± 14.4, and 72.09% were deemed to be experiencing sexual distress. A statistically significant relation was found between experiencing sexual distress and marital status (p = 0.008), having other psychiatric disorders (p = 0.048), positive history of smoking cigarettes (p = 0.010) and its duration (p = 0.024), and positive history of chronic diseases (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The study highlights the concerning figures of sexual dysfunction and distress among patients with depression and that numerous factors could be associated with them. These findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving teams from psychiatry, gynecology, and urology. The findings also reflect the need to screen for high-risk groups, such as those with other psychiatric and chronic medical illnesses. Moreover, the findings highlight the need for prevention, early detection, and effective intervention for sexual dysfunction and distress to mitigate their negative consequences.
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