Change in symptoms of erectile dysfunction in depressed men initiating buprenorphine therapy

Aims

The aim of this study is to describe the change in erectile dysfunction (ED) symptoms in the first 12 weeks of outpatient buprenorphine therapy.

Background

Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in men who use illicit opioids when compared with the general population. To date, no study has examined ED symptoms over time in men initiating buprenorphine therapy for opioid dependence.

Methods

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to determine whether escitalopram treatment of depressive symptoms begun 1 week prior to buprenorphine induction would improve treatment retention. Male patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function scale at baseline prior to induction and monthly thereafter. A score of 25 or less on the erectile function domain (range 1–30) is considered indicative of erectile dysfunction.

Findings

A total of 111 male subjects enrolled: mean age 38.5 (± 9.7) years, 80.1% non-Hispanic Caucasian; 67.3% reported heroin as their opioid of choice. Mean IIEF at baseline was 20.4 (± 10.5). At baseline, 44.1% of the entire cohort had erectile dysfunction; among those who identified as sexually active at baseline, 26.1% had ED. Baseline erectile function was inversely and significantly correlated with age (r = − .27, p = .006), but was not associated significantly with race, heroin use, years of opioid use, smoking, or hazardous use of alcohol. Compared to baseline, mean erectile function was significantly improved (p = .001) at 3 months, and sexual desire (p = .002) improved significantly at both 2- and 3-month assessments.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in depressed males using illicit opioids. Men who remain in buprenorphine treatment for 3 months show improvement in erectile function and sexual desire.