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Compulsive sexual behavior disorder: clinical characteristics and treatment with Naltrexone
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Psychiatry.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0140-4109
2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

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.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Umeå: Umeå universitetet , 2021. , p. 67
Series
Umeå University medical dissertations, ISSN 0346-6612 ; 2149
Keywords [en]
compulsive sexual behavior disorder, Naltrexone, Fluoxetine, hypersexual disorder, sexual addiction, interpersonal violence, suicidal behavior, impulsivity, treatment
National Category
Psychiatry
Research subject
Psychiatry
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-186811ISBN: 978-91-7855-611-3 (print)ISBN: 978-91-7855-612-0 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-186811DiVA, id: diva2:1590453
Public defence
2021-10-08, Psykiatrins sal A, Målpunkt F, plan o, Norrlands universitetssjukhus, Umeå, 09:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2021-09-17 Created: 2021-09-02 Last updated: 2021-09-02Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Interpersonal violence, early life adversity, and suicidal behavior in hypersexual men
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Interpersonal violence, early life adversity, and suicidal behavior in hypersexual men
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2017 (English)In: Journal of Behavioral Addictions, ISSN 2062-5871, E-ISSN 2063-5303, Vol. 6, no 2, p. 187-193Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background and aims: There are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the role of childhood adversity, interpersonal violence, and suicidal behavior in hypersexual disorder (HD). The aim of this study was to investigate interpersonal violence in hypersexual men compared with healthy volunteers and the experience of violence in relation to suicidal behavior. Methods: This case-control study includes 67 male patients with HD and 40 healthy male volunteers. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS) were used for assessing early life adversity and interpersonal violence in childhood and in adult life. Suicidal behavior (attempts and ideation) was assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (version 6.0) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale - Self-rating. Results: Hypersexual men reported more exposure to violence in childhood and more violent behavior as adults compared with healthy volunteers. Suicide attempters (n = 8, 12%) reported higher KIVS total score, more used violence as a child, more exposure to violence as an adult as well as higher score on CTQ-SF subscale measuring sexual abuse (SA) compared with hypersexual men without suicide attempt. Discussion: Hypersexuality was associated with interpersonal violence with higher total scores in patients with a history of suicide attempt. The KIVS subscale exposure to interpersonal violence as a child was validated using the CTQ-SF but can be complemented with questions focusing on SA for full assessment of early life adversity. Conclusion: Childhood adversity is an important factor in HD and interpersonal violence might be related to suicidal behavior in hypersexual men.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Akademiai Kiado, 2017
Keywords
interpersonal violence, suicidal behavior, hypersexual disorder, childhood trauma
National Category
Psychiatry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-140240 (URN)10.1556/2006.6.2017.027 (DOI)000404596200013 ()28467102 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85021685158 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2017-10-19 Created: 2017-10-19 Last updated: 2024-05-02Bibliographically approved
2. Impulsivity in compulsive sexual behavior disorder and pedophilic disorder: impulsivity in CSBD and PeD
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Impulsivity in compulsive sexual behavior disorder and pedophilic disorder: impulsivity in CSBD and PeD
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2021 (English)In: Journal of Behavioral Addictions, ISSN 2062-5871, E-ISSN 2063-5303, Vol. 10, no 3, p. 839-847Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

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.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Akademiai Kiado, 2021
National Category
Psychiatry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-186584 (URN)10.1556/2006.2021.00044 (DOI)000709702500041 ()34280126 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85121405430 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish Society of Medicine, 50142, 886481Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF), P14-0136Stiftelsen Söderström - Königska sjukhemmetFredrik och Ingrid Thurings Stiftelse, 2015-00157
Available from: 2021-08-12 Created: 2021-08-12 Last updated: 2024-11-12Bibliographically approved
3. Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: A Feasibility Study of Twenty Men
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: A Feasibility Study of Twenty Men
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2020 (English)In: Journal of Sexual Medicine, ISSN 1743-6095, E-ISSN 1743-6109, Vol. 17, no 8, p. 1544-1552Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

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.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2020
Keywords
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder, Naltrexone, Hypersexual disorder, Sexual addiction
National Category
Pharmacology and Toxicology Psychiatry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-174027 (URN)10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.04.318 (DOI)000552729900017 ()32532705 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85086166963 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2020-08-18 Created: 2020-08-18 Last updated: 2023-03-24Bibliographically approved
4. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Fluoxetine Versus Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: Presentation of the Study Protocol
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Randomized Controlled Trial of Fluoxetine Versus Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: Presentation of the Study Protocol
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Psychiatry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-186810 (URN)
Available from: 2021-08-23 Created: 2021-08-23 Last updated: 2021-09-02

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