Pregledni rad
Sex Differences in Psychotic Disorders: From Early Risk to Treatment Response
Igor Filipčić
Ivona Šimunović Filipčić
Sažetak
Psychotic disorders pose a major public-health challenge due to their early onset, chronic course, and substantial disability. Although sex differences in psychiatric disorders are well documented, their clinical and therapeutic relevance is often neglected in everyday practice and research. Men and women differ in early risk factors, symptom profiles, illness trajectories, and outcomes. Men typically present with earlier onset, more pronounced negative and cognitive symptoms, and poorer social functioning, whereas women more often show affective symptoms, later onset, and better treatment adherence. Estrogen is considered a potential protective factor that may contribute to a more favorable early course and higher remission rates in women. Sex differences also extend to pharmacological response: on average, women achieve greater therapeutic benefit at lower antipsychotic doses, while men more often require higher doses and are at increased risk of metabolic complications. Conversely, women are more susceptible to hormonal and endocrine adverse effects, including hyperprolactinemia and weight gain. In addition, chronic physical diseases and multimorbidity substantially contribute to excess mortality, underscoring the need for sex-sensitive approaches to somatic health. In both clinical practice and research, it is essential to develop sex-differentiated strategies that encompass early risk detection, accurate diagnosis, individualized dosing and systematic side-effect monitoring, alongside the integration of psychosocial and rehabilitative interventions. A sex-sensitive, personalized model of care has the potential to improve treatment outcomes, reduce mortality, and enhance quality of life for people living with psychotic disorders.
Ključne riječi
psychotic disorders, men, sex differences, clinical presentation, pharmacological response
Hrčak ID:
345180
URI
Datum izdavanja:
26.2.2026.
Posjeta: 335 *