J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.
2009 Nov;48(6):423-429.
The Prevalence of Hyperprolactinemia and Amenorrhea and the Association with Sexual Dysfunction in Schizophrenic Patients with Antipsychotics
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Korea. lji7542@hanmail.net
- 2Ansan Psychiatric Clinic, Ansan, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Many antipsychotics are associated with hyperprolactinemia and sexual dysfunction. This study investigated the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea and explored the association between hyperprolactinemia and sexual dysfunction.
METHODS
We analyzed 285 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had been taking antipsychotics more than one year, examining their serum prolactin levels and administering the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) to evaluate for sexual dysfunction. We conducted an ANCOVA to evaluate the effect of hyperprolactinemia on ASEX score and amenorrhea.
RESULTS
We found hyperprolactinemia in 52.3% of the patients, finding it to be more common in females (60.8%) than in males (49%). Patients taking risperidone had the highest prevalence of hyperprolactinemia (86.5%), and patients taking aripiprazole showed no hyperprolactinemia. Amenorrhea prevalence was 21.5%. Hyperprolactinemia did not significantly affect ASEX scores, but it significantly affected amenorrhea.
CONCLUSION
Many patients taking antipsychotics still experience hyperprolactinemia in a real clinical setting. The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia varies among antipsychotics. Clinicians should consider the possibility of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia, with its potential adverse effects, when treating such patients.