Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the prevalence and correlates of SD in a sample of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES) (n = 77). Sexual functioning was examined using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. C...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2022-12-01
|
| Series: | Psychiatry Research Communications |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772598722000617 |
| _version_ | 1797980737825144832 |
|---|---|
| author | Hilmar Klaus Luckhoff Laila Asmal Frederika Scheffler Stefan du Plessis Bonginkosi Chiliza Retha Smit Lebogang Phahladira Robin Emsley |
| author_facet | Hilmar Klaus Luckhoff Laila Asmal Frederika Scheffler Stefan du Plessis Bonginkosi Chiliza Retha Smit Lebogang Phahladira Robin Emsley |
| author_sort | Hilmar Klaus Luckhoff |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the prevalence and correlates of SD in a sample of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES) (n = 77). Sexual functioning was examined using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. Clinical measures of interest included the duration of untreated psychosis, psychopathology, depressive symptoms, functionality, and quality of life. Biochemical testing was also performed to measure prolactin, lipid profiles, and fasting glucose levels. In total, 27 (35%) patients met the criteria for SD, which was significantly more prevalent in females than in males (p = 0.027). Higher depression scores, poorer social and occupational functioning, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels predicted overall SD. Female sex, more pronounced global psychopathology, and poorer quality of life were also predictors of domain-specific SD, adjusting for the extent of antipsychotic exposure. In conclusion, SD has a high prevalence in patients with FES, particularly females. There is a need for a more nuanced understanding of SD in recent-onset schizophrenia, and to establish its relevance in terms of comorbid depressive symptoms and poor quality of life. SD may require specific attention and tailored treatment in females with FES. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:59:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b17d0f3304541618f5473929e29c2b5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2772-5987 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:59:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Psychiatry Research Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b17d0f3304541618f5473929e29c2b52022-12-22T04:41:47ZengElsevierPsychiatry Research Communications2772-59872022-12-0124100080Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disordersHilmar Klaus Luckhoff0Laila Asmal1Frederika Scheffler2Stefan du Plessis3Bonginkosi Chiliza4Retha Smit5Lebogang Phahladira6Robin Emsley7Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 7550, South Africa; Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, 7500, Address: 1 Francie van Zijl Rylaan, Parow, Cape Town, 7500, South Africa.Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 7550, South AfricaDepartment of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 7550, South AfricaDepartment of Psychiatry, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 7550, South AfricaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 7550, South AfricaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 7550, South AfricaSexual dysfunction (SD) is common in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the prevalence and correlates of SD in a sample of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES) (n = 77). Sexual functioning was examined using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. Clinical measures of interest included the duration of untreated psychosis, psychopathology, depressive symptoms, functionality, and quality of life. Biochemical testing was also performed to measure prolactin, lipid profiles, and fasting glucose levels. In total, 27 (35%) patients met the criteria for SD, which was significantly more prevalent in females than in males (p = 0.027). Higher depression scores, poorer social and occupational functioning, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels predicted overall SD. Female sex, more pronounced global psychopathology, and poorer quality of life were also predictors of domain-specific SD, adjusting for the extent of antipsychotic exposure. In conclusion, SD has a high prevalence in patients with FES, particularly females. There is a need for a more nuanced understanding of SD in recent-onset schizophrenia, and to establish its relevance in terms of comorbid depressive symptoms and poor quality of life. SD may require specific attention and tailored treatment in females with FES.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772598722000617Sexual dysfunctionFirst-episode psychosisSchizophreniaArizona sexual experience scaleDepressionHDL cholesterol |
| spellingShingle | Hilmar Klaus Luckhoff Laila Asmal Frederika Scheffler Stefan du Plessis Bonginkosi Chiliza Retha Smit Lebogang Phahladira Robin Emsley Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders Psychiatry Research Communications Sexual dysfunction First-episode psychosis Schizophrenia Arizona sexual experience scale Depression HDL cholesterol |
| title | Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| title_full | Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| title_fullStr | Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| title_short | Sexual dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| title_sort | sexual dysfunction in first episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| topic | Sexual dysfunction First-episode psychosis Schizophrenia Arizona sexual experience scale Depression HDL cholesterol |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772598722000617 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hilmarklausluckhoff sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT lailaasmal sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT frederikascheffler sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT stefanduplessis sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT bonginkosichiliza sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT rethasmit sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT lebogangphahladira sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders AT robinemsley sexualdysfunctioninfirstepisodeschizophreniaspectrumdisorders |