Abstract
Introduction Sexual dysfunction figures prominently in patients with schizophrenia; however,
medication effects may play a role. The objective of this case control study was to
assess differences in the presence of sexual dysfunction in unmedicated patients with
schizophrenia versus healthy controls.
Methods Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the Derogatis Inventory for Sexual Function
self-rating in a cross-sectional design controlling for age and gender effects. A
brief sexual anamnesis was applied to describe the psychosocial background of the
mostly male sample further.
Results Results show a significant difference with patients reporting more problems in most
domains and with a significant correlation between severity of psychosis (Positive
and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores) and the impairment of orgasm experience.
The study revealed reduced sexual activities and less pleasure during sexual activities
of patients.
Discussion This study implies that schizophrenia has an impact on the presence of sexual dysfunction
and that sexual dysfunction is partly independent of antipsychotic treatment. Since
the sample consisted mostly of first-episode males, conclusions might only be valid
for this subgroup.
Key words
libido - sexual dysfunction - schizophrenia - unmedicated - DISF-SR
