Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia: international variation and underestimation
Open accessAbstract
The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients was investigated as part of this large (n = 7655), prospective, international (27 countries) study. Based on patient reports, sexual dysfunction affected approx. 50% of patients and the prevalence of complaints varied significantly between regions (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction, as perceived by psychiatrists, also varied significantly across regions (p < 0.0001). Psychiatrists significantly underestimated the presence of impotence/sexual dysfunction (p < 0.0001) and loss of libido (p < 0.0001), compared to reports from patients. The frequency of sexual dysfunction was significantly higher in patients who had been using prolactin-elevating antipsychotics prior to study entry, compared to those who had been treated with prolactin-sparing antipsychotics (patient reports, p = 0.002; psychiatrist perception, p = 0.0004). This study has shown that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high in both male and female patients with schizophrenia and frequently underestimated by psychiatrists. Regional variation is evident in both psychiatrist perceptions and patient reports of sexual dysfunction. Given the importance of sexual function to quality of life and treatment compliance, proactive assessment of sexual function is required to optimize schizophrenia management.
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Sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia is estimated to be more frequent compared to normal controls and to affect 30-80% of women and 45-80% of men.
“Although there are relatively few systematic investigations concerning sexual disorders in schizophrenia (514), sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia is, compared to normal controls, estimated to be more frequent (515-519) and to affect 30-80% of women and 45-80% of men (512,515, 520-523).”
From Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. I. Prevalence, impact of medications and disparities in health care (2011) · cites this paper as [521]
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- Authors
- Dossenbach, M., Hodge, A., Anders, M., Molnár, B., Peciukaitiene, D., Krupka-Matuszczyk, I., Tatu, M., Bondar, V., Pecenak, J., Gorjanc, T., & McBride, M.
- Affiliations
- Eli Lilly (Australia) (AU)
- Charles University (CZ)
- Medical University of Silesia (PL)
- Mental Health Research Center of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RU)
- Corresponding author
- Dossenbach, Martin
- Venue
- The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2005-06
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 195-201
- ISSN
- 1461-1457 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-5111
- OpenAlex
- W2064011042
- Cited by
- 106
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 4.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Eli Lilly Australia
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Keywords
- sexual dysfunction, schizophrenia, prevalence, regional variation, patient-reported outcomes, erectile dysfunction, low libido, sexual function assessment
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Demography, Female, Humans, International Cooperation, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological, Sex Factors, Prevalence, Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
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