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- Chatzittofis, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Normal Testosterone but Higher Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder
- 2020
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Ingår i: Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 2050-1161. ; 8:2, s. 243-250
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Hypersexual disorder as suggested to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 integrates aspects of sexual desire deregulation, impulsivity, and compulsivity. However, it is unknown how it affects gonadal activity and the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in hypersexual men compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, we investigated associations between epigenetic markers and hormone levels.Methods: Basal morning plasma levels of testosterone, LH, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were assessed in 67 hypersexual men (mean age: 39.2 years) compared with 39 age-matched healthy controls (mean age: 37.5 years). The Sexual Compulsivity Scale and the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale were used for assessing hypersexual behavior, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale-self rating was used for depression severity, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used for assessing history of childhood adversity. The genome-wide methylation pattern of more than 850 K CpG sites was measured in whole blood using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. CpG sites located within 2,000 bp of the transcriptional start site of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) and HPG axis-coupled genes were included.Main Outcome Measures: Testosterone and LH plasma levels in association with clinical rating and a secondary outcome was the epigenetic profile of HPA and HPG axis-coupled CpG sites with testosterone and LH levels.Results: LH plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with hypersexual disorder than in healthy volunteers. No significant differences in plasma testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and SHBG levels were found between the groups. There were no significant associations between DNA methylation of HPA and HPG axis-coupled genes and plasma testosterone or LH levels after multiple testing corrections.Conclusions: Subtle dysregulation of the HPG axis, with increased LH plasma levels but no difference in testosterone levels may be present in hypersexual men.
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- Savard, Josephine, et al.
(författare)
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Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder : A Feasibility Study of Twenty Men
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 1743-6095 .- 1743-6109. ; 17:8, s. 1544-1552
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is a common disorder affecting different areas of life, although studies focusing on pharmacological treatment are sparse.Aim: To investigate whether the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone is feasible and tolerable and can provide symptom reduction in CSBD.Methods: Twenty men aged 27-60 years (mean = 38.8 years, standard deviation = 10.3) with CSBD seeking treatment in an outpatient nonforensic clinic received four weeks of naltrexone 25-50 mg. Measurements were made before, during, and four weeks after treatment.Outcomes: The self-assessment Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale (HD: CAS) score was the primary outcome measure, and secondary outcomes were the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) score, reported adverse effects, adherence to treatment, and dropouts.Results: There was significant decrease on both HD: CAS and HBI scores during treatment with naltrexone. Even though some of the effects remained after treatment, the increased scores on HD: CAS indicated worsening of CSBD symptoms. The most reported side effects were fatigue (55%), nausea (30%), vertigo (30%), and abdominal pain (30%). However, there were no serious adverse effects leading to discontinuation of naltrexone.Clinical Implications: Despite side effects being common, naltrexone seems to be feasible in the treatment of CSBD.Strengths & Limitations: Being the first nonforensic prospective trial on naltrexone in CSBD, this study provides novel insights on a pharmacological intervention. However, owing to the small sample size and the lack of a control group, conclusions of effectiveness should be interpreted with caution.Conclusion: Naltrexone is feasible and tolerable and may reduce symptoms of CSBD; nevertheless, future studies should ensure a randomized controlled procedure to evaluate possible effectiveness.
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