Sexual problems in schizophrenia: prevalence and characteristics. A cross sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and characteristics of psychosexual problems in people with schizophrenia, and to compare the subjects' and researcher's perceptions of the presence of these problems.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of 137 people with established schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, aged 18-65 in one geographical area of southeast England, using a semi-structured interview format.


RESULTS
A total of 74% of men and 82% of women reported at least one ICD-10 defined sexual problem. Arousal problems were associated with physical health problems in men. Orgasm problems were more common in people in relationships. The researcher was about three times more likely to record a sexual problem than the respondents were to report one.


CONCLUSIONS
People with schizophrenia report sexual dysfunction that is similar in nature but which occurs at a higher rate than is reported in the general population. There are gender differences and differences in the perception of psychosexual problems between those with schizophrenia and the researcher.
Harley
Ellen Wan-Yuk
EW
St. Leonards Community Mental Health Team, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Gambier House, West Hill Road, St. Leonards On Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0NG, UK. ellen.harley@sussexpartnership.nhs.uk
Boardman
Jed
J
Craig
Tom
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Br J Psychiatry. 2000 Sep;177:212-7
11040880
Biol Psychiatry. 1994 Jan 1;35(1):32-5
8167201
Br J Psychiatry. 2002 Jul;181:49-55
12091263
Br J Psychiatry. 2000 Mar;176:217-23
10755067
Mod Probl Pharmacopsychiatry. 1980;15:111-30
6106890
Pharmacopsychiatry. 1995 May;28(3):84-92
7568370
Hosp Community Psychiatry. 1981 Apr;32(4):259-62
7227986
Arch Sex Behav. 1984 Dec;13(6):555-67
6517688
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2007 Oct;42(10):787-93
17721669
BMJ. 2003 Aug 23;327(7412):423
12933729
J Clin Psychiatry. 1980 May;41(5):166-74
6102986
Arch Sex Behav. 2001 Apr;30(2):177-219
11329727
Br J Psychiatry. 1983 Oct;143:376-82
6626857
Br J Psychiatry. 2003 Jan;182:50-6
12509318
BMJ. 2003 Aug 23;327(7412):426-7
12933730
J Clin Psychiatry. 1995 Apr;56(4):137-41
7713851
Am J Psychiatry. 1989 Feb;146(2):206-11
2912262
Int J Soc Psychiatry. 1963;9:250-8
14071769
J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63 Suppl 4:56-62
11913677
Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2003 Spring;26(4):393-402
12739910
BMJ. 2001 Feb 24;322(7284):443-4
11222406
Eur Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;21(4):251-8
16530390
Fam Pract. 1998 Dec;15(6):519-24
10078790
Can J Psychiatry. 2002 Nov;47(9):833-43
12500753
Am J Psychiatry. 1960 Jun;116:1070-5
14409564
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1995 Mar;30(2):73-7
7754419
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1997 Nov;32(8):459-67
9409161
Arch Sex Behav. 2003 Jun;32(3):193-208
12807292
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1988 Apr 2;296(6627):959-62
3129108
JAMA. 1999 Feb 10;281(6):537-44
10022110
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2005 Jun;8(2):195-201
15631645