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Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common occurrence in Schizophrenia on antipsychotics, both typical and atypical. Indian studies in this regard are not many in number. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate SD in Schizophrenics on Trifluoperazine, Risperidone, and Olanzapine and also to evaluate the incidence of SD in relation to the duration of illness, duration of treatment, and dosage of the drugs in each group of subjects. Materials and Methods: In stable schizophrenic patients, on Trifluoperazine (n=40), Risperidone (n=40), and Olanzapine (n=40), SD was assessed using Arizona sexual experience scale. Demographic profile and duration of illness, duration of treatment and drug dosage were evaluated in each group. Comparisons were made between the incidence of SD between patients taking typical and atypical antipsychotics. Furthermore, distribution of SD with duration of illness, duration of treatment and dose of drugs were assessed in each group of subjects (taking Trifluoperazine, Risperidone, or Olanzapine). Results: (1) Majority of the subjects were males (66.67%) and above 30 years (55%). (2) Incidence of SD was higher with typical antipsychotics (statistically insignificant). (3) Increased duration of treatment and dose of drugs was associated with higher incidence of SD. Patients treated with Risperidone for longer duration and with Trifluoperazine with higher dose had higher incidence of SD (P<0.05). Conclusion: Incidence of SD is higher in older age groups and with typical Antipsychotics. Increased duration of illness, duration of treatment and higher drug doses, all are associated with higher incidence of SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and purpose: Autoimmune process is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology in some cases of schizophrenia. Alteration in interleukin (IL) regulation is regarded as additional proof of autoimmunological background in schizophrenia. Most of the research in interleukin activity in schizophrenia has been in Caucasian and some Mongoloid patients. We have studied the serum IL-2 and IL-6 level in psychotropic medication free and antipsychotic medicating schizophrenic patients who are Indian Bengalee by ethnicity. Method: Twenty psychotropic medication free and 30 antipsychotic medicating schizophrenic patients who fulfilled DSM-IV-TR criteria and 30 of the same age and sex matched controls were recruited. Serum level of IL-2 and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: There was a significant decrease of IL-2 and IL-6 in both antipsychotic medicating and psychotropic medication free patients. Further the medicating patients showed lower level of IL-2 and IL-6 than the psychotropic medication free patients. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe a decrease serum level of IL-6 in schizophrenic patients. The study provides the evidence that some kind of immune dysregulation is involved in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The study also provides the evidence for the immunosuppressive effect of antipsychotic drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]