A Cross-sectional Study of Antipsychotic Drugs Induced Sexual Dysfunction Among Married Males with Remitted Schizophrenia Attending Tertiary Health Care Centre from Central India

Abstract

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 side-effect 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.

Sexually transmitted infections, sexual life and risk behaviours of people living with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A detailed description of the meta-analytical results can be found in Table 2; 37.77% (95% CI 18.93–61.22%) considered themselves to be in a stable relationship. 49 , 50 , 53 , 76 , 91 59.66% (95% CI 43.57–73.91%) reported being interested in sexual relationships with others 4 , 76 , 77 and 53.71% (42.85–64.22%) were satisfied with their sex life. 77 , 85 , 92 Whereas 74.10% (95% CI 53.20–87.89%) had had sexual relationships with another person at least once in their lifetime, 37 , 49 , 53 , 77 , 79 , 81 , 93 only 37.72% (95% CI 31.52–44.35%) were sexually active (defined in most cases as sexual intercourse at least once over the previous 12 months).…”

Comparison of cognitive dysfunctions in individuals with Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders: A cross-sectional observational study from Central Rural India

“…To calculate the population size for present study, we applied the formula of sample size calculation for the cross-sectional study design and the formula was n = 4pq/L 2 , where n is sample size, p is the prevalence of cognitive impairment, q is 100 -p, and L is allowable error which is 20% of the p (Wankhade et al, 2021;Shaikh et al, 2021). Based on the previous study finding (Solé et al, 2017), we took p = 46%.…”