Sexual dysfunction, marital relationship, and subjective quality of life among women with schizophrenia: Analytical...

Women with schizophrenia have a high risk of adverse sexual health outcomes. The chronic course of schizophrenia draws attention to assessing the quality of life and marital relationships of patients with schizophrenia. However, there is a crunch of data in the Indian setting. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions (SDs) and determine the marital relationship and quality of life among women with schizophrenia.

The study followed an analytical case-control design. The study was conducted at the inpatient psychiatric department of one of the apex tertiary healthcare centers located at the foothills of the Northern Himalayas. The study purposively included 136 participants (68 cases and 68 controls). The control group included healthy women aged 18-45 currently staying with sexual partners. Data were collected using pretested and standardized self-report questionnaires.

The median age of the case group was 36 (interquartile range (IQR), 29-42) years, while that of the control group was 29 (IQR 26-34) years. The prevalence of SD was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in cases (95.3%) than in controls (73.4%). Compared to healthy controls, women with schizophrenia have a significantly higher rate of SD in sexual desire (P = 0.001), getting arousal (P < 0.001), lubrication (P < 0.001), achieving orgasm (P < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (P < 0.001) (except pain). In addition, the marital relationship was better managed (P < 0.001) in healthy controls compared with cases. The healthy control group significantly expressed a better quality of life in physical (P < 0.001), psychological (P < 0.001), and maintaining social (P < 0.001) relationships (except environment domains). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, employment status significantly predicted SDs (odds ratio (OR), 25.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.09, 318.10; P < 0.05) in participants.

The prevalence of SD is significantly high among female participants. Hence, treating physicians should pay attention to sexual function during the screening and treatment of patients with schizophrenia.