Sexual dysfunction in people with prodromal or first-episode psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Sexual dysfunction is common in psychotic disorder but it is not clear whether it is intrinsic to the development of the illness or secondary to other factors.


OBJECTIVE
To compare sexual function in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) of a psychotic disorder, patients with first-episode psychosis predominantly taking antipsychotic drugs and healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Sexual function was assessed in a UHR group (n = 31), a group with first-episode psychosis (n = 37) and a matched control group of healthy volunteers (n = 56) using the Sexual Function Questionnaire.


RESULTS
There was a significant effect of group on sexual function (P<0.001). Sexual dysfunction was evident in 50% of the UHR group, 65% of first-episode patients and 21% of controls. Within the UHR group, sexual dysfunction was more marked in those who subsequently developed psychosis than in those who did not. Across all groups the severity of sexual dysfunction was correlated with the severity of psychotic symptoms (P<0.001). Within the first-episode group there was no significant difference in sexual dysfunction between patients taking prolactin-raising v. prolactin-sparing antipsychotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual dysfunction is present prior to onset of psychosis, suggesting it is intrinsic to the development of illness unlikely to be related to the prolactin-raising properties of antipsychotic medication.
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK. tiago.marques@kcl.ac.uk
Tiago Reis
TR
Marques
Shubulade
S
Smith
Stefania
S
Bonaccorso
Fiona
F
Gaughran
Anna
A
Kolliakou
Paola
P
Dazzan
Valeria
V
Mondelli
Heather
H
Taylor
Marta
M
Diforti
Philip K
PK
McGuire
Robin M
RM
Murray
Oliver D
OD
Howes
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents