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Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medizinische Poliklinik, University of Würzburg, Klinikstrasse 6-8, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
¹ Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Medizinische Poliklinik, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
² Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Strasse 7, D-97078 Würzburg, Germany

(Requests for offprints should be addressed to M R Kraus; Email: Kraus_m{at}klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de)

Decrease of libido and erectile dysfunction are reported by male patients during antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C, but therapy-associated underlying factors for sexual dysfunction are not well defined. To assess putative contributions of interferon-induced sex hormone changes to sexual dysfunction, we prospectively investigated changes in free testosterone, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, prolactin, sex hormone-binding globulin, FSH and LH levels and psychometric self-assessment scores in 34 male patients treated with interferon alfa-2b (5 MIU three times weekly) (n=19)+ ribavirin (n=15) for 6–12 months. Depression was measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sexual dysfunction was evaluated by the Symptom Checklist 90 Item Revised and a five-point rating scale assessing sexual arousal disorder. Free and total testosterone decreased significantly during antiviral therapy in close correlation with libido/sexual function. Depression scores increased during therapy and were also significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. However, androgen levels displayed no significant correlation with depression. These results suggest that interferon-induced decrease in sexual function is associated – but not causally related –with both androgen reduction and increased depressive symptoms. These findings may affect care for male hepatitis C patients during interferon therapy.