Cai-Lan Hou1, Yu Zang2, R C Rosen3, Mei-Ying Cai4, Yan Li5, Fu-Jun Jia6, Yong-Qiang Lin1, Gabor S Ungvari7, Chee H Ng8, Helen F K Chiu5, Yu-Tao Xiang9. 1. Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong General Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Province, China. 2. Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare & Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China. 3. Ningxia Mental Health Center, Ningxia Ning-An Hospital, Ningxia Province, China. 4. Guangzhou Yuexiu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Province, China. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 6. Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong General Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Province, China. Electronic address: jiafujun@126.com. 7. The University of Notre Dame Australia/Marian Centre, Perth, Australia; School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, University of WA, Perth, Australia. 8. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 9. Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China. Electronic address: xyutly@gmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients is common. In China, maintenance treatment for clinically stable patients with schizophrenia is usually provided by primary care physicians. Illness- or treatment-related sexual dysfunction in this patient population has been never studied. This study describes the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction and its impact on quality of life (QOL) in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. METHOD: A total of 607 patients with schizophrenia treated in 22 randomly selected primary care services in China formed the study sample. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including sexual function and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection. RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction was present in 69.9% of all patients; 60.7% in males and 80.6% in females. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, being single, older age and use of first-generation antipsychotics were independently and significantly associated with more sexual dysfunction accounting for 23.5% of its variance (P<0.001). Unexpectedly, sexual dysfunction was not associated with lower QOL. CONCLUSIONS: High rate of sexual dysfunction was reported in the majority of patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. Given its negative impact on social adjustment, QOL and treatment adherence, efforts should be made to address sexual dysfunction in this patient population.
PURPOSE:Sexual dysfunction in schizophreniapatients is common. In China, maintenance treatment for clinically stable patients with schizophrenia is usually provided by primary care physicians. Illness- or treatment-related sexual dysfunction in this patient population has been never studied. This study describes the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction and its impact on quality of life (QOL) in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. METHOD: A total of 607 patients with schizophrenia treated in 22 randomly selected primary care services in China formed the study sample. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including sexual function and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection. RESULTS:Sexual dysfunction was present in 69.9% of all patients; 60.7% in males and 80.6% in females. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, being single, older age and use of first-generation antipsychotics were independently and significantly associated with more sexual dysfunction accounting for 23.5% of its variance (P<0.001). Unexpectedly, sexual dysfunction was not associated with lower QOL. CONCLUSIONS: High rate of sexual dysfunction was reported in the majority of patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. Given its negative impact on social adjustment, QOL and treatment adherence, efforts should be made to address sexual dysfunction in this patient population.
Authors: Marc Casale; Hernan Nicolas Lemus; James J Young; Lara V Marcuse; Ji Yeoun Yoo; Svetlana Faktorovich; Bridget Mueller; Madeline C Fields Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2020-11-24 Impact factor: 2.937