| 1. |
- Adebahr, Roberth, et al.
(författare)
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Reaching Men and Women at Risk of Committing Sexual Offences : Findings From the National Swedish Telephone Helpline PrevenTell
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 1743-6095 .- 1743-6109. ; 18:9, s. 1571-1581
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In 2012 the Swedish Helpline project PrevenTell, targeting men and women with self-identified out-of-control and paraphilic sexual behavior, was launched by ANOVA, Karolinska University Hospital. The overall purpose was to reach the target group and via a telephone-contact encourage further on-site assessment and treatment.Aim: To describe men and women contacting PrevenTell during the first 7 years by delineate sexuality-related risk-factors for sexual violence, gender differences, and age-and gender-preferences when reporting a pedophilic interest.Method: A 52-item semi-structured telephone interview was conducted by experts in sexual medicine with individuals who contacted the helpline. The interview covered sociodemographic characteristics, problematic sexual behavior(s), and mental health and based on the information reported, interventions included recommending an appointment at ANOVA, supporting other appropriate healthcare, or motivation of individuals still ambivalent to treatment.Results: Data collection took place between March 2012 and October 2019. A total of 1573 respondents in the main target group (1454 men and 119 women) gave informed consent for participation. Compulsive sexual behavior was reported by 69% of respondents and 56% described at least one paraphilic interest. The prevalence of concomitant compulsive sexual behavior and a paraphilic interest was high, varying between 65% and 83%. Significant gender differences were found in socioeconomic and mental health variables, in which women showed fewer positive and stable life factors compared to men. A sexual preference for minors was reported by 24% of respondents. In this group, 63% reported use of child sexual exploitation material and 15% committed child sexual abuse. Respondents were offered anonymity, however 55% disclosed their identity and were enrolled for further assessment and treatment at ANOVA.Clinical Implications: The result of this study is of substantial relevance when developing secondary preventive initiatives targeting sexual violence in the community.Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to present data from a national helpline targeting both men and women with a wide range of self-identified problematic sexual behaviors. Limitations include the lack of diagnostic confirmation on-site, hence, presented data provides only an indication of clinical conditions. Furthermore, the main objective of the interview was to motivate participants to seek further treatment, sometimes necessary to prioritize this over adherence to the semi-structured questionnaire, explaining the relatively high absence rate in some variables.Conclusion: Men and women at risk of committing sexual crimes can be reached through a national helpline service and motivated to undergo further assessment and treatment.
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| 2. |
- Chatzittofis, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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HPA axis dysregulation is associated with differential methylation of CpG-sites in related genes
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- DNA methylation shifts in Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis related genes is reported in psychiatric disorders including hypersexual disorder. This study, comprising 20 dexamethasone suppression test (DST) non-suppressors and 73 controls, examined the association between the HPA axis dysregulation, shifts in DNA methylation of HPA axis related genes and importantly, gene expression. Individuals with cortisol level ≥ 138 nmol/l, after the low dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone suppression test (DST) were classified as non-suppressors. Genome-wide methylation pattern, measured in whole blood using the EPIC BeadChip, investigated CpG sites located within 2000 bp of the transcriptional start site of key HPA axis genes, i.e.: CRH, CRHBP, CRHR-1, CRHR-2, FKBP5 and NR3C1. Regression models including DNA methylation M-values and the binary outcome (DST non-suppression status) were performed. Gene transcripts with an abundance of differentially methylated CpG sites were identified with binomial tests. Pearson correlations and robust linear regressions were performed between CpG methylation and gene expression in two independent cohorts. Six of 76 CpG sites were significantly hypermethylated in DST non-suppressors (nominal P < 0.05), associated with genes CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, FKBP5 and NR3C1. NR3C1 transcript AJ877169 showed statistically significant abundance of probes differentially methylated by DST non-suppression status and correlated with DST cortisol levels. Further, methylation levels of cg07733851 and cg27122725 were positively correlated with gene expression levels of the NR3C1 gene. Methylation levels of cg08636224 (FKBP5) correlated with baseline cortisol and gene expression. Our findings revealed that DNA methylation shifts are involved in the altered mechanism of the HPA axis suggesting that new epigenetic targets should be considered behind psychiatric disorders.
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| 3. |
- Savard, Josephine, 1985-
(författare)
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Compulsive sexual behavior disorder: clinical characteristics and treatment with Naltrexone
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) is characterized by sexual preoccupation and loss of control of sexual behaviors causing distress, negative consequences, and impairment. Despite its high prevalence, the condition is understudied in terms of background factors and treatment. Aims: The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate clinical characteristics with a specific focus on self-reported experience of interpersonal violence and various dimensions of impulsivity, and to evaluate treatment with naltrexone in help-seeking men with CSBD. Methods: In Study I, 67 men with CSBD were compared with 40 healthy, age-matched controls concerning interpersonal violence measured with the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS). In Study II, clinical, neurocognitive, and self-reported measures of impulsivity were compared between men with CSBD (n=20), a clinical control cohort with pedophilic disorder (n=55), and a healthy male control cohort (n=57). In Study III, 20 men with CSBD received four weeks of treatment with the opioid antagonist naltrexone, followed by a four-week follow-up phase. Adverse effects, adherence to treatment, and changes in compulsive sexual behavior were assessed. Study IV is an ongoing randomized controlled trial in which 80 individuals with CSBD receive either naltrexone or the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine for eight weeks, followed by a six-week follow-up phase. The primary outcome measure is Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale (HD:CAS), also used in Study III.Results: In Study I, men with CSBD had higher scores on self-reports of exposure to violence in childhood and use of violence as adults, as well as higher KIVS total scores compared with healthy controls. Those who had made a suicide attempt (n=8, 12%) reported higher scores of sexual abuse in childhood as well as the highest value of total experience of interpersonal violence. In Study II, neurodevelopmental disorders were common in both clinical cohorts, both of which also reported more compulsive sexuality and attentional impulsivity than controls. Self-reported attentional impulsivity was the only independent positive predictor of compulsive sexual behavior. In Study III, despite initial adverse effects being common, naltrexone was found tolerable and the study procedures were feasible. Self-reported measures of compulsive sexual behavior decreased during treatment with naltrexone. Conclusion: Interpersonal violence may be related to suicidal behavior in CSBD; and attentional impulsivity is linked to the level of compulsive sexual behavior. Screening for interpersonal violence and neurodevelopmental disorders should be part of routine assessment in disorders of problematic sexuality. Treatment with naltrexone was tolerable and might be a suitable option for treatment in CSBD if found efficacious in the ongoing randomized controlled trial.
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| 4. |
- Savard, Josephine, et al.
(författare)
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Impulsivity in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder and Pedophilic Disorder
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Behavioral Addictions. - : Akademiai Kiado. - 2062-5871 .- 2063-5303. ; 10:3, s. 839-847
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aims: Impulsivity is regarded as a risk factor for sexual crime reoffending, and a suggested core feature in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. The aim of this study was to explore clinical (e.g. neurodevelopmental disorders), behavioral and neurocognitive dimensions of impulsivity in disorders of problematic sexuality, and the possible correlation between sexual compulsivity and impulsivity.Methods: Men with Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (n = 20), and Pedophilic Disorder (n = 55), enrolled in two separate drug trials in a specialized Swedish sexual medicine outpatient clinic, as well as healthy male controls (n = 57) were assessed with the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) for sexual compulsivity, and with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and Connors' Continuous Performance Test-II (CPT-II) for impulsivity. Psychiatric comorbidity information was extracted from interviews and patient case files.Results: Approximately a quarter of the clinical groups had Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Both clinical groups reported more compulsive sexuality (r = 0.73-0.75) and attentional impulsivity (r = 0.36-0.38) than controls (P < 0.05). Based on results on univariate correlation analysis, BIS attentional score, ADHD, and Commissions T-score from CPT-II were entered in a multiple linear regression model, which accounted for 15% of the variance in HBI score (P < 0.0001). BIS attentional score was the only independent positive predictor of HBI (P = 0.001).Discussion: Self-rated attentional impulsivity is an important associated factor of compulsive sexuality, even after controlling for ADHD. Psychiatric comorbidity and compulsive sexuality are common in Pedophilic Disorder.Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental disorders and attentional impulsivity - including suitable interventions - should be further investigated in both disorders.
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