Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in three psychiatric outpatient settings: A drug misuse service, an alcohol misuse service and a general adult psychiatry clinic

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is reported as increased in patients with mental disorder. We set out to establish and compare the presence of sexual dysfunction across three psychiatric outpatient populations by prospective completion of a structured self-administered questionnaire and two validated rating instruments. Patients were recruited from three outpatient services in general psychiatry, drug misuse and alcohol misuse. A total of 246 patients were approached for interview, of whom 169 (68.7%) agreed to complete the initial questionnaire. Overall, the number of patients who reported a sexual problem was 71/168 (42.3%: 95% Cl: 35%-50%). Using the GRISS questionnaire, over half the men were found to have problems linked to sexual satisfaction, erectile dysfunction and infrequency of sex. Likewise, over half the women were found to have problems over sexual infrequency, non-communication, avoidance and non-sensuality. The prevalence of sexual problems did not vary between the clinic populations ( p = 0.81) or gender. We conclude that high proportions of individuals with general psychiatric disorders or with substance misuse may also have psychosexual dysfunctions. Factors that lead to psychosexual dysfunctions in psychiatric outpatient populations need to be explored. The article highlight the importance of psychosexual dysfunction in those who present to psychiatry outpatients, and should alert the psychiatrist to their detection and, where necessary, to arrange suitable treatment.