Effects of Antipsychotics-Induced Amenorrhea on Attitudes Toward Treatment and Quality of Life in Women with Schizophrenia

Kim, Min Hyo; Kong, Bo Geum; Jung, Do Un; Kang, Je Wook; Moon, Jung Joon; Kim, Jeong Eun; Song, Tae Hong; Shin, Hye Kyung; Lim, Ji Seop; Shim, Joo Cheol

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to identify the correlation between antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea, and attitudes toward treatment and quality of life in women with schizophrenia.
METHODS
Twenty female schizophrenic patients with antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea and thirty female schizophrenic patients without antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea were evaluated. Attitudes toward treatment were assessed by the Korean version of Drug Attitude Inventory (KDAI-10) and quality of life was assessed by the Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). The psychopathology of each patient was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scales and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Adverse effects were evaluated using the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were conducted.
RESULTS
The KDAI-10 score was not significantly correlated antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea. In WHOQOL-BREF score, social relation domain only showed significant correlation with antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the number of family members contributed significantly to the Positive Subjective Feelings Scores of KDAI-10 and marital status contributed significantly to the social relation domain of WHOQOL-BREF in amenorrhea group.
CONCLUSION
The results of present study suggest that antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea lower part of the quality of life domain in women with schizophrenia. Clinicians must pay attention to treatment of amenorrhea and various factors that correlated with attitudes toward treatment and quality of life in women with schizophrenia.