The mechanism of hypersexuality in patient with dementia

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861020
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Yatabe Yusuke 熊本大学, 医学部附属病院, 非常勤診療医師 (50508637)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: hypersexuality / 不適切な性行動 / 認知症 / BPSD

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Patients with dementia occasionally exhibit inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB). Although ISB is one of the problematic symptoms for caregivers, little is known concerning the mechanism of ISB in dementia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of ISB and factors related to it in patients with dementia. The sample consisted of 442 consecutive outpatients with dementia. We evaluated ISB by using an original question. Of the 442 patients with dementia, 16 (3.6%) showed ISB. The prevalence of ISB did not significantly differ by dementia type. Multiple logistic regression showed that ISB was significantly associated with male sex, high MMSE score, delusions, agitation, euphoria, antiparkinson drug use, and cholinesterase inhibitors use. Our results suggest that if patients with dementia present with ISB, we should consider reducing their dosage of antiparkinson drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors as well as treatment of delusions, agitation, and euphoria.

Free Research Field

老年精神医学