Factors associated with self-rated sexual function in Korean patients with schizophrenia receiving risperidone monotherapy

Objective This study aims to investigate the factors associated with sexual function in Korean patients with schizophrenia. Methods This study evaluated 169 patients with schizophrenia who were receiving risperidone monotherapy. The Visual Analog Scale was used to assess sexual function in terms of sexual desire, sexual arousal, and sexual satisfaction. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Korean version of the Subjective Well‐being under Neuroleptic Treatment—Brief Form (SWN‐K) scale, and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) were also administered. Results Sexual function was negatively associated with age, duration of illness, gender (female), marital status (single), the presence of tardive dyskinesia, and Beck Depression Inventory score, but positively associated with the SWN‐K and DAI scores. A linear regression analysis revealed that being male and married had significant positive associations with sexual arousal, sexual satisfaction, and/or sexual desire, while the presence of tardive dyskinesia and a longer duration of illness were associated with poor sexual arousal and/or sexual desire. Additionally, sexual function was significantly associated with the SWN‐K and DAI scores in multivariate analysis. Conclusions The acknowledgement and management of sexual dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia by clinicians may be important for improvement of their quality of life and adherence to medication. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.