Sexual Dysfunction in Male Schizophrenia Remitted Patients Treated with Risperidone and Olanzapine - A Comparative Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern Kerala

Abstract

BACKGROUND Patients on antipsychotics frequently report sexual dysfunction as a side effect. Antipsychotics from the second generation are favoured since they are less likely to induce negative effects, second-generation antipsychotics such as risperidone and olanzapine, on the other hand, have a sexual side effect that affects treatment compliance and leads to marked distress and interpersonal problems. A pleasurable sexual encounter is an essential component of all human life. A normal sexual function provides a sense of psychological, bodily, and social well-being. The sexual difficulty has an impact on one's mood, self-esteem, interpersonal functioning, treatment adherence, and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to see if the second-generation antipsychotics risperidone and olanzapine were linked to sexual dysfunction. METHODS This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 70 male schizophrenia remitted patients treated with risperidone or olanzapine who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were seen in the outpatient department. The patients were assessed with socio-demographic proforma, brief psychiatric rating scale was used to assess clinical stability, clinical information sheet and ICD- 10 DCR were used to make a diagnosis of schizophrenia, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale was used to assess the sexual dysfunction. The statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency (%) and mean + / - SD were used to express categorical and quantitative values, respectively. The chi-square test was employed to determine whether categorical variables were related. RESULTS Among the 70 male patients, 35 were on treatment with risperidone and 35 were on treatment with olanzapine. 71.4 % of risperidone treated patients and 45.7 % of olanzapine treated patients’ experienced sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS This study concluded that sexual dysfunction is common in male schizophrenia remitted patients treated with risperidone and olanzapine and it is highest with risperidone (71.4 %), while in olanzapine (45.7 %) had dysfunction. Clinicians should ask and systematically evaluate the sexual side effect associated with these antipsychotics and address it or else it may lead to noncompliance with treatment. KEY WORDS Sexual Dysfunction in Atypical Antipsychotics, Risperidone, Olanzapine, ASEX.