Sexual dysfunction in people with prodromal or first-episode psychosis
The British Journal of Psychiatry, 08/03/2012
Marques TR et al. – Sexual dysfunction is present prior to onset of psychosis, suggesting it is intrinsic to the development of illness unlikely to be related to the prolactin–raising properties of antipsychotic medication.
Methods- Sexual function was assessed in a UHR group (n=31), a group with first–episode psychosis (n=37) and a matched control group of healthy volunteers (n=56) using the Sexual Function Questionnaire.
- There was a significant effect of group on sexual function (P<0.001).
- Sexual dysfunction was evident in 50% of the UHR group, 65% of first–episode patients and 21% of controls.
- Within the UHR group, sexual dysfunction was more marked in those who subsequently developed psychosis than in those who did not.
- Across all groups the severity of sexual dysfunction was correlated with the severity of psychotic symptoms (P<0.001).
- Within the first–episode group there was no significant difference in sexual dysfunction between patients taking prolactin–raising v. prolactin–sparing antipsychotics.
