Psychiatry Research EG

Introduction Sexual dysfunction is one of the bothersome adverse drug effects that is profoundly underestimated and infrequently addressed in practice. Studies have shown that 25–60% of patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics report sexual dysfunction. Some studies reported that atypical antipsychotics cause less sexual dysfunction compared with typical antipsychotics, whereas other studies have reported otherwise. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of typical and atypical antipsychotics on sexual functions using the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14). Patients and methods Eighty patients were selected from the Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University (Cairo, Egypt). Patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of psychotic disorders according to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder IV criteria were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I comprised patients who received first generation antipsychotics; three brands were used: haloperidol, trifluoperazine, and flupenthixol. Group II comprised patients who received second generation antipsychotics; three brands were used: olanzapine, risperidone, and quetiapine. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the CSFQ-14 initially and after 12 weeks from starting the antipsychotic medication. Results This prospective cohort study indicated that the rate of sexual dysfunction after 12 weeks of using antipsychotics was 61.25%. Group II patients showed the highest prevalence of sexual adverse effects compared with group I. The highest decline was reported with risperidone, and the lowest negative impact on sexual functioning was reported with haloperidol. Conclusion The rate of antipsychotics-induced sexual dysfunction is high; however, it is profoundly neglected and infrequently addressed in psychiatric practice. Thus, this problem should be routinely revised and properly managed to prevent its possible sequelae on adherence issues and quality of life. Keywords: atypical antipsychotics, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-14, sexual dysfunction, typical antipsychotics