TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in sexual function and gonadal axis hormones after switching to aripiprazole in male schizophrenia patients
T2 - A prospective pilot study
AU - Jeong, Hyun Ghang
AU - Lee, Moon Soo
AU - Lee, Hwa Young
AU - Ko, Young Hoon
AU - Han, Changsu
AU - Joe, Sook Haeng
PY - 2012/7
Y1 - 2012/7
N2 - Antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction is a common problem in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of switching to aripiprazole on sexual dysfunction and the hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal axis in male patients with schizophrenia. In this prospective, open-label study, the participants were 10 male schizophrenia patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, risperidone, amisulpride, and olanzapine. Before and after switching to aripiprazole, they were assessed on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, and hormonal levels were measured. Our results showed a significant improvement in the severity of sexual dysfunction, especially in 'ease of sexual arousal' and 'penile erection,' as measured by the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale total scores after switching to aripiprazole (χ 2=12.45 and P=0.002). The serum prolactin level decreased significantly after switching to aripiprazole (χ 2=11.14 and P=0.004), but the changes in the total testosterone level were not significant (χ 2=4.75 and P=0.93). Our results suggest that sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients seems to improve after switching to aripiprazole from other atypical antipsychotics (risperiodone, amisulpride, or olanzapine). This may be associated with a change in dopamine and serotonin transmissions and a decrease in the serum prolactin concentration.
AB - Antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction is a common problem in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of switching to aripiprazole on sexual dysfunction and the hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal axis in male patients with schizophrenia. In this prospective, open-label study, the participants were 10 male schizophrenia patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, risperidone, amisulpride, and olanzapine. Before and after switching to aripiprazole, they were assessed on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, and hormonal levels were measured. Our results showed a significant improvement in the severity of sexual dysfunction, especially in 'ease of sexual arousal' and 'penile erection,' as measured by the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale total scores after switching to aripiprazole (χ 2=12.45 and P=0.002). The serum prolactin level decreased significantly after switching to aripiprazole (χ 2=11.14 and P=0.004), but the changes in the total testosterone level were not significant (χ 2=4.75 and P=0.93). Our results suggest that sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia patients seems to improve after switching to aripiprazole from other atypical antipsychotics (risperiodone, amisulpride, or olanzapine). This may be associated with a change in dopamine and serotonin transmissions and a decrease in the serum prolactin concentration.
KW - aripiprazole
KW - atypical antipsychotics
KW - erectile dysfunction
KW - hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
KW - prolactin
KW - sexual sfunction
KW - testosterone
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84862822881&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/YIC.0b013e328351c8c4
DO - 10.1097/YIC.0b013e328351c8c4
M3 - Article
C2 - 22407277
AN - SCOPUS:84862822881
VL - 27
SP - 177
EP - 183
JO - International Clinical Psychopharmacology
JF - International Clinical Psychopharmacology
SN - 0268-1315
IS - 4
ER -