Abstract

An attempt to assess the impact of dual diagnosis - mental illness and addiction on the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions, and evaluation of problems with sexual functioning in men treated in a psychiatric ward. 140 psychiatrically hospitalized men (mean age 40.4 ± 12.7 years) with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction and double diagnosis (schizophrenia and addiction) took part in the study. The Sexological Questionnaire, developed by Professor Andrzej Kokoszka, and the International Index of Erectile Function IIEF-5 were used in the study. The occurrence of sexual dysfunctions in the study group was reported in 83.6% of patients. The most common was reduction in sexual needs (53.6%) and orgasm delay (40%). Depending on the research tool used, erectile dysfunction appeared in 38.6% of respondents (according to Kokoszka's Questionnaire) and 61.4% of patients (IIEF-5). Severe erectile dysfunction was more common in the group of patients without a partner (12.4% vs. 0; p = 0.000) compared to people in relationships and in the group with anxiety disorders (p = 0.028) compared to groups with other mental disorders. In the group of people with dual diagnosis (DD), sexual dysfunctions were observed more frequently in comparison to patients with schizophrenia (p = 0.034). Treatment lasting over 5 years was more often associated with sexual dysfunctions (p = 0.007). In the DD group, lack of orgasm and excessive sexual needs were more frequent in comparison to people with one diagnosis (p = 0.0145; p = 0.035). Sexual dysfunctions are more common in patients with DD in comparison to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lack of a partner and the duration of psychiatric treatment over 5 years is associated with more frequent occurrence of sexual dysfunctions.

Highlights

  • Sexuality is one of the important aspects of quality of life, and sexual dysfunctions are common in patients suffering from chronic diseases

  • Among the patients treated in psychiatric wards, the most common causes that disrupt sexual functioning are the symptoms of the underlying illness, side effects of pharmacological treatment, difficulties in establishing relationships with a partner, problems in partner relationships related to the existence of the illness and the way of functioning in everyday life, social stigmatization

  • The group of patients consisted of 23 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, 20 individuals diagnosed with affective disorder, 14 people diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 53 people addicted to various psychoactive substances, and 30 individuals with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and addiction

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Summary

Introduction

Sexuality is one of the important aspects of quality of life, and sexual dysfunctions are common in patients suffering from chronic diseases. Sexual disorders are most often the result of co-existence of various biological, psychological and social factors [1,2,3,4,5]. Among the patients treated in psychiatric wards, the most common causes that disrupt sexual functioning are the symptoms of the underlying illness, side effects of pharmacological treatment, difficulties in establishing relationships with a partner, problems in partner relationships related to the existence of the illness and the way of functioning in everyday life, social stigmatization. Few studies have analyzed the incidence of sexual disorders in patients during psychiatric hospitalization, and the results of these studies are divergent and range from 17% [6], 38% [9], to 50–76% of patients declaring various sexual dysfunctions [1, 2, 10, 11]. Some studies analyze the sexual functioning of patients during outpatient treatment [5, 12,13,14,15]

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