Research Article

A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Maca Root as Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Table 2

Subjects reaching improvement threshold on MGH-SFQa items by the last visit, by treatment and menopausal status (based on the number of subjects above the threshold at baseline).

Item rated “minimally diminished” or better (1–3) by last visit Menopausal
status
MacaPlacebo Maca/placebo
relative
riskd
Maca/placebo
odds ratio
(95% CI)e
Number needed to treat (NNT)f
(%)c remitted (%)c remitted

Item 1Before113 (27.27)145 (35.71)0.7640.675 (0.121–3.767)12 (NNH)g
InterestAfter52 (40.00)42 (50.00)0.8000.667 (0.047–9.473)10 (NNH)g

Item 2Before138 (61.54)154 (26.67)2.3074.400 (0.889–21.781)3
ArousalAfter52 (40.00)42 (50.00)0.8000.667 (0.047–9.473)10 (NNH)g

Item 3Before124 (33.33)155 (33.33)1.0001.000 (0.200–5.004)
OrgasmAfter74 (50.00)50 (0.0)10.561 (1.027–108.641)2

Item 4Before135 (38.46)155 (33.33)1.1541.250 (0.265–5.886)19
SatisfactionAfter63 (50.00)42 (50.00)1.0001.000 (0.080–12.558)

MGH-SFQ: Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire.
: the number of subjects who were above the threshold at baseline.
cPercentages are shown to 2 decimal places, for greater accuracy in computing relative risk, odds ratio, and NNT.
dRelative risk is calculated by maca %/placebo % reaching the benefit threshold.
eSee footnote e, Table 1.
fSee footnote f, Table 1.
gSee footnote g, Table 1.