A randomized open-label study of the impact of quetiapine versus risperidone on sexual functioning.
OBJECTIVE
To compare sexual functioning in patients treated with quetiapine or risperidone.


METHODS
This open-label study included patients with schizophrenia or a related psychotic illness who were randomized to quetiapine (200-1200 mg/d) or risperidone (1-6 mg/d) for 6 weeks. Sexual dysfunction was assessed by a semistructured interview, the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ), based upon the Utvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU).


RESULTS
Four of 25 quetiapine-treated patients (16%) and 12 of 24 risperidone-treated patients (50%) reported sexual dysfunction (chi 2 = 6.4; df = 1; P = 0.006) on the ASFQ. Six patients (11.7%; 4 on risperidone, 2 on quetiapine) spontaneously reported sexual dysfunction. The mean+/-SD dose was 580+/-224 mg/d for quetiapine and 3.2 +/- 1.3 mg/d for risperidone. Mean +/- SD prolactin levels in quetiapine- and risperidone-treated patients were 13.8 +/- 17.9 and 57.7 +/- 39.7 ng/mL, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual dysfunction was less common in patients treated with quetiapine than with risperidone. Direct questioning about sexual functioning is necessary to avoid underestimating the frequency of sexual side effects in patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.
Knegtering
Rikus
R
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. H.Knegtering@ADGGN.AZG.NL
Castelein
Stynke
S
Bous
Han
H
Van Der Linde
Just
J
Bruggeman
Richard
R
Kluiter
Herman
H
van den Bosch
Robert J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D018967:Risperidone