Introduction
Evidence is accumulating to support the presence of erectile dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. This dysregulation may be amenable to therapeutic intervention to improve adherence and quality of life of patients who suffer from schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.
Aim
We aimed to evaluate the use of adjunctive medication lodenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia and spectrum.
Methods
The design was a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial with lodenafil and it was carried at the Schizophrenia Outpatients Program.
Main Outcome Measures
The measures used to assess sexual dysfunction were Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Quality of Life Scale (QLS) were also used. The measures included the levels of prolactin, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone, and total testosterone at baseline and end point. Lodenafil and placebo pills were used by the patients for 16 weeks.
Results
Fifty male outpatients fulfilled the criteria and 94% of the participants completed the study. Lodenafil and placebo produced improvement in ASEX, IIEF scale, PANSS, and QLS, and there was no statistical difference between lodenafil and placebo groups in all sexual domains in the results of PANSS and QLS and in the results of hormone levels.
Conclusion
These results indicate that both lodenafil and placebo were effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction for schizophrenia. Placebo effect is very important in patients with schizophrenia and this study showed the importance of discussing sexuality and trying to treat these patients. Further studies designed to test treatments of erectile dysfunction in patients who suffer from schizophrenia are necessary.
Background: Sexual dysfunction is frequent in patients with schizophrenia, it is reported as one of the most distressing antipsychotic's adverse effects and it is directly related to treatment compliance. Objectives: a) to evaluate the accuracy of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) to identify sexual dysfunction; b) to assess the frequency of sexual dysfunction in a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder under antipsychotic therapy; and c) to investigate the effect of different antipsychotics on sexual function. Method: Outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were asked to fulfill both the ASEX and the Dickson Glazer Scale for the Assessment of Sexual Functioning Inventory (DGSFi) at a single interview. Results: 137 patients were interwied. The sensitivity and specificity of the ASEX in relation to DGSFi were: 80.8%, (95% CI = 70.0%-88.5%) and 88.1% (95% CI = 76.5%-94.7%), and the misclassification rate was 9.5%. The ROC curve comparing the ASEX and the DGSFi scores revealed a value of 0.93 (CI = 0.879-0.970), with the optimum cut-off point of ASEX being 14/15. Sexual dysfunction measured was higher in females (79.2%) than in males (33.3%) (χ 2 = 27.41, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Discussion: Patients under antipsychotic treatment showed a high level of sexual complaints, and the ASEX proved to be an accurate instrument to identify sexual dysfunction in an outpatient sample of patients with schizophrenia spectrum. Females showed a higher frequency of sexual dysfunctions and sexual drive and ability to reach orgasm were the most affected areas. The use of antipsychotics, especially the combinations, was more likely to impair sexual functioning.
A psicoterapia interpessoal (TIP) é um tratamento por tempo limitado, desenvolvido para tratar a depressão e que ainda não foi estudado no tratamento de episódios depressivos em pacientes com esquizofrenia. Estes pacientes estão freqüentemente submetidos a disputas interpessoais, perdas, transições de papéis e déficits nas relações interpessoais, o que está associado ao surgimento de episódios depressivos. Os autores propõem o uso da psicoterapia interpessoal, com adaptações, como adjuvante no tratamento da depressão em pacientes com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, a partir do estudo de três casos clínicos.
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