Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mood Disorder on Antipsychotic Medications: A South Indian Institutional Comparative Study

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Sebastian John Xavier Sugadev, Anusa Arunachalam Mohandoss

AIMS and Objectives: This study intends to study sexual dysfunction in schizophrenics [SZ] and bipolar mood disorder [BMD]

patients under active treatment as compared with controls in this part of India.

Material and Methods: In a secondary data, SZ, BMD and normal controls(n=30each) formed the study–group. Detailed

histories were collected. Scales used to measure the predictors were PANSS scale for SZ, YMRS/HAM–D for BMD. The outcome

variables were – sexual experience of SZ, BMD and normal subjects using Arizona Sexual Experience Scale[ASEX,1997]. Descriptive

statistics, chi–square and Kruskal–Wallis test were used. P≤0.05 was considered significant.

Result: ASEX score was significantly different between 3 groups.(P=0.049) Between ASEX domains, ability to reach orgasm was

only significantly different.(P=0.024)

Discussion: The study discusses the sexual dysfunction in SZ and BMD under active treatment. With the limited sample size of this

secondary data study, the trend of results indicates that in spite of adequate treatment, sexual dysfunction exists in SZ/BMD. More

research, with large sample size, follow up and consideration of more confounding factors need to be performed to ensure

complete and wholesome recovery in SZ/BMD. This study gives a robust estimate for determining proper sample size and

determining power. Also, the individual benefit of using ASEX questionnaire is being highlighted.