The Senior Fitness Test for assessing functional fitness in cancer patients and survivors: a cross-sectional study.

Sexual dysfunction refers to disturbances in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain during sexual activity []. These disorders are classified using criteria outlined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) [, ]. Globally, sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in both sexes []. A global systematic review and meta-analysis reported that about half of women of reproductive age experience sexual dysfunction []. The most common dysfunctions in women are related to desire and arousal, whereas in men the most identified dysfunctions are premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction []. Furthermore, a systematic review found that about 11% of European and Asian men experience premature ejaculation, and nearly one third experience erectile dysfunction []. In Saudi Arabia, Alhaizan et al. reported that at least half of Saudi women experience sexual dysfunction, with desire and arousal being the domains most affected, followed by orgasmic problems []. Additionally, a study of 924 Saudi men found that approximately one fifth experience erectile dysfunction []. The etiology of sexual dysfunction is multifactorial, with various physiological, psychological, and pharmacologic factors being implicated []. Nonetheless, sexual dysfunction has a profound impact on well-being, including psychological distress, diminished social functioning, and reduced life satisfaction []. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, among other symptoms such as somatic manifestations including appetite and sleep changes []. According to the World Health Organization, 5% of adults globally suffer from depression []. According to the Saudi National Mental Health Survey, the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in Saudi Arabia is 3.8% []. Moreover, depression significantly impairs physical, emotional, and social functioning []. Sexual dysfunction is a common, yet often overlooked, symptom of depression and has a substantial influence on patients’ quality of life and well-being []. In a prospective cohort study carried out in Zurich, Switzerland, 591 adult participants from the general population of Zurich were interviewed five times over a 15-year period. The results indicated that the prevalence of sexual problems in patients with depression was approximately twice that of controls []. In China, a post-hoc data analysis of a nationwide study published in 2023 included 273 adult patients diagnosed with MDD and treated with at least one antidepressant for 8–12 weeks []. The study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in patients with MDD []. The authors found that sexual dysfunction was prevalent in 61.9% of the participants, with risk factors including being female, aged 45 years or above, having a low income, feeling sluggish, and experiencing somatic symptoms []. In Egypt, a 2022 cross-sectional study evaluated the risk of sexual dysfunction and quality of life among Egyptian women diagnosed with MDD []. The authors found that all women with MDD experienced sexual dysfunction, which was strongly linked to lower overall quality of life []. In Oman, a retrospective cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction []. The authors reported that 39% of the participants experienced sexual dysfunction as a medication side effect, with paroxetine being the most common medication associated with these issues, while mirtazapine was associated with the least sexual side effects [].