Sexual Dysfunction among Psychiatric Patients on Antipsychotic Medications.
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between use of antipsychotics and the occurrence of sexual dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia among patients. From a sample of 70 patients (43 males and 27 females) taking antipsychotics for at least 3 months and an equal number of psychotropic naïve controls matched for sex and age (±5 years), demographic, clinical, and medication information were collected. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function and Female Sexual Function Index among male and female respondents, respectively. Serum prolactin level was also assayed. The mean daily dose of antipsychotics was 303.81 mg; mean prolactin level was 24.50 ng/ml and 12.66 ng/ml among the subjects and controls, respectively. The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia was 38.6% among the subjects and 1.4% among the controls (χ2 = 0.637, df = 1, p = 0.000). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was higher among the subjects (67.2%) than the controls (40%) (χ2 = 0.173, df = 1, p = 0.796). The presence of hyperprolactinemia (χ2 = 12.904, df = 1, p = 0.000), use of antipsychotic combination (χ2 = 6.656, df = 1, p = 0.013), and daily dose of antipsychotics (t= -3.986, df = 65.229, p = 0.000) were found to be significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. Hyperprolactinemia was the strongest predictor of sexual dysfunction (Wald = 6.30, df = 1, OR = 1.131, 95% CI = 1.027 to 1.245, p = 0.016). Sexual dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia were more prevalent among subjects than controls. These findings should guide psychiatrists in antipsychotics prescription.
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