title: Changes in sexual function and gonadal axis hormones after switching to aripiprazole in male schizophrenia patients:  a prospective pilot study.
abstract: Antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction is a common problem in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of switching to aripiprazole on sexual dysfunction and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male patients with schizophrenia. In this prospective, open-label study, the participants were 10 male schizophrenia patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, risperidone, amisulpride, and olanzapine. Before and after switching to aripiprazole, they were assessed on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, and hormonal levels were measured. Our results showed a significant improvement in the severity of sexual dysfunction, especially in 'ease of sexual arousal' and 'penile erection,' as measured by the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale total scores after switching to aripiprazole (χ(2) = 12.45 and P = 0.002). The serum prolactin level decreased significantly after switching to aripiprazole (χ(2) = 11.14 and P = 0.004), but the changes in the total testosterone level were not significant (χ(2) = 4.75 and P = 0.93). Our results suggest that sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients seems to improve after switching to aripiprazole from other atypical antipsychotics (risperiodone, amisulpride, or olanzapine). This may be associated with a change in dopamine and serotonin transmissions and a decrease in the serum prolactin concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ghang
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Moon-Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwa-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Changsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sook-Haeng
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Joe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019233:Retreatment; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine