Sexual dysfunctions in people with first-episode psychosis assessed according to a gender perspective.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with chronic mental disorders often can suffer from sexual dysfunction. Nevertheless, the sexual functioning of new patients with first-episode psychosis has been little explored. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in sexual functioning in people with first-episode psychosis.


METHODS
A group of 40 males and 37 females with first-episode psychosis took part in the research. We administered a psychiatric protocol composed of the PANSS, UKU and SCID-DSM-IV diagnosis.


RESULTS
We found that the 42.5% of the male group had sexual dysfunctions while the percentage of the female group was 37.8%. The correlation between sexual dysfunctions and psychopathology did not reveal any association in males. However, in females, general psychopathology and positive symptoms are linked to the alteration of vaginal lubrication: (r=0.547; p=0.003) and (r=0.485; p=0.011), although orgasm alteration was also associated with general psychopathology (r=0.500; p=0.013). Moreover, we found a relation between the alteration of vaginal lubrication with depression(r=0.627; p<0.0001) and disorder of volition (r=0.600; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the association between sexual dysfunctions and psychopathology regarded only women. Therefore, during the taking charge of patients it is fundamental to consider the gender-specific relationship between psychopathology and sexual problems.
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy - Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Giacomo
G
Ciocca
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Judith
J
Usall
Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Esplugues de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Montse
M
Dolz
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Erika
E
Limoncin
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Giovanni L
GL
Gravina
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Eleonora
E
Carosa
Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Esplugues de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Bernardo
B
Sánchez
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain - Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Esplugues de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain - Centre d'Higiene Mental Les Corts, Barcelona, Spain.
Ana
A
Barajas
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Iris
I
Baños
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Elena
E
Huerta
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Aida
A
Farreny
Department of Mental Health, ASL 01 L'Aquila, Italy.
Camilla
C
Franchi
Genipe
G
Group
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Susana
S
Ochoa
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents