title: Sexual dysfunction and central obesity in patients with first episode psychosis.
abstract: In recent years the association between sexual dysfunction (SD) and obesity in the general population has drawn major attention. Although sexual dysfunction is common in psychosis, its relationship with weight gain and obesity remains unclear.
  
  
  
  To investigate the association between sexual dysfunction and obesity in a cohort of patients with first episode psychosis.
  
  
  
  Sexual function was assessed in a cohort of patients with first episode psychosis using the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ). Anthropometric measures, including weight, BMI, waist, waist-hip ratio were investigated. Additionally, leptin and testosterone were investigated in male patients.
  
  
  
  A total of 116 patients (61 males and 55 females) were included. Of these 59% of males and 67.3% of females showed sexual dysfunction (SD) according to the SFQ. In males, higher SFQ scores were significantly correlated with higher BMI (Std. β=0.36, P=0.01), higher leptin levels (Std. β=0.34, P=0.02), higher waist-hip ratio (Std. β=0.32, P=0.04) and lower testosterone levels (Std. β=-0.44, P=0.002). In contrast, in females, SFQ scores were not associated with any of these factors.
  
  
  
  While sexual dysfunction is present in both female and male patients with their first episode of psychosis, only in males is sexual dysfunction associated with increased BMI and waist-hip ratio. The association between SD, BMI, low levels of testosterone and high levels of leptin suggest that policies that lead to healthier diets and more active lifestyles can be beneficial at least, to male patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Theleritis
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK. Electronic address: stefania.bonaccorso@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonaccorso
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gaughran
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vitoratou
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Atakan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolliakou
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gardner Sood
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dazzan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eberhard
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breedvelt
authors.affiliation: University of Rome « La Sapienza », Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferracuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Forti
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000150:complications*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Antipsychotic medications; Prolactin; Sexual dysfunction; Sexual function questionnaire; Testosterone; Weight gain