Assessment of Dyadic Adjustment and Sexual Functions in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

There are limited studies investigating the relation between dyadic adjustment, and sexual functions. The aim of this study was to compare patients with bipolar disorder (BD) in euthymic phase with healthy controls, and confirm our hypothesis which we expect to find that dyadic adjustment is negatively affected in bipolar patients with sexual dysfunctions (SDs).

A total of 50 euthymic bipolar patients (32 female, 18 male), and 50 healthy individuals as a control group (27 female, 23 male) were included in the study. A data form for socio-demographic features and two other forms for clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder and sexual functions have been filled by clinician. The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-4) Axis I was used to determine axis I psychiatric disorders. All patients completed Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS).

Twenty-five (50%) of bipolar patients, and 13 (48.8%) of healthy controls were found to have SDs. There was a significant difference between bipolar patients, and healthy controls in regard to the presence of SDs (p=0.013). Dissatisfaction, communication, and anorgasmia subscale scores, and total scores of GRISS was found to be higher in female patients with BD. Intercourse frequency, impotence and premature ejaculation subscale scores and total scores of GRISS were higher in male patient group than healthy controls. When bipolar patients and healthy controls were compared, there was a significant difference between dyadic cohesion and affectional expression scores as measured by DAS. As a result of the univariate and regression analyzes, it was determined that the variable affecting the dyadic adjustment in bipolar patients was affected by sexual dysfunction rather than disease presence.

The results of this study have shown that the prevalence rate of SDs is higher in bipolar patients than healthy individuals. It was determined that the variable affecting the dyadic adjustment of patients with BB was affected by sexual function rather than disease presence. The presence of SDs in bipolar patients have negative effects on dyadic adjustment.