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Sexual Dysfunction Appears to Be a Complication of Hepatitis C Therapy in Men

BETHESDA, Md -- September 3, 2009 -- Sexual impairment is common among men with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy, according to a study published in the journal in Gastroenterology.

This is the first time a study evaluating the combination therapy, peginterferon and ribavirin, has identified sexual dysfunction as a side effect. Sexual dysfunction and impairment of desire should be considered common side effects of combination antiviral therapy in men with hepatitis C. It has the potential to affect all three components of sexual health: desire, function and satisfaction.

In the study, before therapy, 37% of men reported at least some degree of impairment in sexual desire, while 44% reported dissatisfaction with their sexual life. In addition, 22% reported impairment in erectile and 26% in ejaculatory function.

The average onset of sexual dysfunction appeared to be within 4 weeks of starting antiviral therapy, and many patients reported a gradual worsening over time. At the end of therapy (24 or 48 weeks), an estimated 38% to 48% of men reported that overall sexual function was worse than before treatment. African Americans reported less impairment in sexual desire and satisfaction than Caucasian Americans during therapy.

While most components of sexual health evaluated in this study resolved within 6 months after the cessation of therapy, erectile and ejaculatory function remained slightly worse than before therapy in a proportion of men who received a full 48 weeks of treatment.

As part of the Study of Viral Resistance to Antiviral Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C (VIRAHEP-C), 260 men treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin completed self-administered questionnaires concerning sexual desire, sexual function, including erectile and ejaculatory function, and sexual satisfaction before, during and after treatment.

Though sexual function and health are important elements of quality of life and overall well-being, they are infrequently mentioned in the discussion of complications of therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin. In fact, most review articles on hepatitis C treatment, summary publications on the side effects of therapy and the package inserts for peginterferon do not mention sexual dysfunction as a potential complication of therapy.

SOURCE: American Gastroenterological Association

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