Sexual dysfunction in Japanese patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics

Various studies have revealed that sexual dysfunction is prevalent in schizophrenia patients treated with either first- or second-generation antipsychotics. Although sexual dysfunction may have a negative impact on adherence to treatment, no reports have studied sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients compared with healthy controls in Asian populations. We employed a cross-sectional, case-control survey design to collect data from 352 schizophrenic Japanese outpatients treated with antipsychotics and 367 healthy subjects. Sexual dysfunction was evaluated using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic patients was 59.3% for males and 49.1% for females, while that in healthy controls was 38.0% for males and 38.4% for females. High rates of low sexual interest (37.3%), erectile dysfunction (37.3%), and problems related to ejaculation (35.6%) were found in male patients, while amenorrhea (38.7%) and low sexual interest (25.7%) were found in female patients. Significant differences were observed between cases and controls concerning the prevalence of total sexual dysfunction in males under 30 years of age (p<0.01) and in their 40s (p<0.01), as well as in females in their 30s (p<0.05) and over 50 years of age (p<0.01). When patients were divided into four monotherapy groups (risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and haloperidol), there were still no differences in any form of sexual dysfunction. The present study demonstrated a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients than in healthy controls. Clinicians should keep these problems in mind and discuss potential solutions with their patients in Asian populations.