An empirical evaluation of the Arizona sexual experience scale and a simple one-item screening test for assessing antipsychotic-related sexual dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

We examined the reliability and construct validity of the 5-Item Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In addition, we assessed the performance of two 1-item screening questions to detect sexual dysfunction as defined by a cut-off scoring criteria of sexual dysfunction for the ASEX. One question was a general question about any side effects. The second question asked specifically about sexual dysfunction. Altogether 247 participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder provided data at a single interview. Results indicated that the ASEX has good internal consistency and construct validity for the patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The point-biserial correlations and logistic regression found a high degree of agreement between the one-item specific screening question for sexual dysfunction and the ASEX. Overall, sensitivity (85%), specificity (63.7%), and positive (83%) and negative (67.1%) predictive values for the specific one-item screening question were satisfactory. The single general side effect question performed poorly (sensitivity = 11.3%; specificity = 92.5%; positive predictive value = 76%; negative predictive value = 33%). The current findings demonstrate the highly acceptable psychometric properties of the ASEX in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In addition, a specific one-item screening question is of clinical utility in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.