Effects of atypical and typical antipsychotic treatments on sexual function in patients with schizophrenia: 12-month results from the Intercontinental Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (IC-SOHO) study.
OBJECTIVE
Sexual dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia can reduce quality of life and treatment compliance. This report will compare the effects of selected atypical and typical antipsychotics on sexual function in a large, international population of outpatients with schizophrenia who were treated over 1 year.


METHODS
Outpatients with schizophrenia, who initiated or changed antipsychotic treatment, and entered this 3-year, prospective, observational study were classified according to the monotherapy prescribed at baseline: olanzapine (N=2638), risperidone (N=860), quetiapine (N=142) or haloperidol (N=188).


RESULTS
Based on patient perception, the odds of experiencing sexual dysfunction during 1 year of therapy was significantly lower for patients treated with olanzapine and quetiapine when compared to patients who received risperidone or haloperidol (all P< or =0.001). Females on olanzapine (14%) or quetiapine (8%) experienced a lower rate of menstrual irregularities, compared to females on risperidone (23%) or haloperidol (29%). Significant discordance was evident between patient reports and psychiatrist perception of sexual dysfunction, with psychiatrists underestimating sexual dysfunction (P< or =0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate clinically relevant differences exist in the sexual side effect profiles of these selected antipsychotics. These factors should be considered when selecting the most appropriate treatment for outpatients with schizophrenia.
Dossenbach
Martin
M
Eli Lilly and Company, Ges.m.b.H, Kölblgasse 8-10, 1030 Vienna, Austria. d.m.@lilly.com
Dyachkova
Yulia
Y
Pirildar
Sebnem
S
Anders
Martin
M
Khalil
Afaf
A
Araszkiewicz
Aleksander
A
Shakhnovich
Tamara
T
Akram
Aly
A
Pecenak
Jan
J
McBride
Margaret
M
Treuer
Tamas
T
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D006220:Haloperidol; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine