A Cross-sectional Study of Antipsychotic
Drugs Induced Sexual Dysfunction
among Married Males with Remitted
Schizophrenia Attending Tertiary Health
Care Centre from Central India
VC01-VC07
Correspondence
Dr. Ajinkya Sureshrao Ghogare,
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College,
Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi,
Wardha-442001, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: ajinkyaghogaremd@gmail.com
Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating disease having a major impact on the sufferers’ lives. Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of the treatment of schizophrenia. But, antipsychotics can lead to a variety of sexual dysfunctions among the males with schizophrenia, which may affect their treatment compliance.
Aim: To assess the prevalence and the types of sexual dysfunctions among married males with remitted schizophrenia who were on a single oral antipsychotic drug from either class (i.e., typical or atypical type).
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary health-care centre from Central India, with a sample size of 100 married males with schizophrenia who were in the remission phase on a single oral antipsychotic drug. Data were collected by using a convenient sampling method. Socio-demographic profile and clinical variables were recorded in a specific case report form prepared for the study using the Arizona Sexual Experiences (ASEX) scale and the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) side-effect rating scale to assess the prevalence and the types of oral antipsychotic drugs induced sexual dysfunctions among study participants.
Results: The prevalence of antipsychotic drug induced sexual dysfunction was 54%. The most common type of sexual sideeffect of oral antipsychotic treatment was Decreased Sexual Desire/Drive (DSD) as assessed by both ASEX (94.4%) and UKU (63.0%) scales. Sexual dysfunctions like DSD and Ejaculatory Dysfunction (EJD) were associated with the treatment of schizophrenia with typical antipsychotic drugs.
Conclusion: The present study shows that the treatment with typical antipsychotics was significantly associated with sexual side-effects. So, routine inquiry during the follow-ups should be done regarding the evaluation of sexual side-effects of antipsychotic agents in order to improve treatment compliance and disease prognosis.