title: Sexual dysfunction and its impact on quality of life in Chinese patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients is common. In China, maintenance treatment for clinically stable patients with schizophrenia is usually provided by primary care physicians. Illness- or treatment-related sexual dysfunction in this patient population has been never studied. This study describes the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction and its impact on quality of life (QOL) in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 607 patients with schizophrenia treated in 22 randomly selected primary care services in China formed the study sample. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including sexual function and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual dysfunction was present in 69.9% of all patients; 60.7% in males and 80.6% in females. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, being single, older age and use of first-generation antipsychotics were independently and significantly associated with more sexual dysfunction accounting for 23.5% of its variance (P<0.001). Unexpectedly, sexual dysfunction was not associated with lower QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High rate of sexual dysfunction was reported in the majority of patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. Given its negative impact on social adjustment, QOL and treatment adherence, efforts should be made to address sexual dysfunction in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong General Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Cai-Lan
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare & Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.affiliation: Ningxia Mental Health Center, Ningxia Ning-An Hospital, Ningxia Province, China.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou Yuexiu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Mei-Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong General Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Province, China. Electronic address: jiafujun@126.com.
authors.forename: Fu-Jun
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Mental Health Center, Guangdong General Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Qiang
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: The University of Notre Dame Australia/Marian Centre, Perth, Australia; School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, University of WA, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Gabor S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ungvari
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Chee H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Helen F K
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China. Electronic address: xyutly@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yu-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents