Comparison of sexual dysfunction in male schizophrenic patients maintained on treatment with classical antipsychotics versus clozapine.
BACKGROUND
Antipsychotic treatment is frequently associated with sexual dysfunction. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare sexual function and behavior in male schizophrenic patients who regularly take either classical neuroleptic drugs or the prototypical atypical antipsychotic agent, clozapine.


METHODS
Participants included 60 schizophrenic male patients (DSM-IV criteria); 30 maintained on treatment with classical antipsychotics and 30 on treatment with clozapine. The patients were evaluated with a detailed 18-item sexual function questionnaire.


RESULTS
Both groups reported sexual dysfunction, although scores were significantly higher, indicating better functioning, in the clozapine-treated group in the domains of orgasmic function (number of orgasms per month, p = .037; frequency of orgasm during sex, p = .046), enjoyment of sex (p = .013), and sexual satisfaction (p = .0004). Equivocal results were obtained for the desire parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Maintenance therapy with the atypical neuroleptic clozapine may be associated with a lesser degree of sexual dysfunction than the classical antipsychotics in male outpatients with chronic schizophrenia.
Aizenberg
D
D
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Modai
I
I
Landa
A
A
Gil-Ad
I
I
Weizman
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine