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Dopa-testotoxicosis: disruptive hypersexuality in hypogonadal men with prolactinomas treated with dopamine agonists
- Source :
- Endocrine. 55:618-624
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2016.
-
Abstract
- Dopamine agonists are the first line of therapy for prolactinomas, with high rates of biochemical control and tumour shrinkage. Toxicity is considered to be low and manageable by switching of agents and dose reduction. Dopamine agonist-induced impulse control disorders are well described in the neurology setting, but further data are required regarding this toxicity in prolactinoma patients. We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of eight men with prolactinomas and associated central hypogonadism. The eight men had no prior history of psychiatric disease, but each developed disruptive hypersexuality whilst on dopamine agonist therapy at various doses. Cabergoline, bromocriptine and quinagolide were all implicated. Hypersexuality had manifold consequences, including relationship discord, financial loss, reduced work performance, and illicit activity. We hypothesise that this phenomenon is due to synergy between reward pathway stimulation by dopamine agonists, together with rapid restoration of the eugonadal state after prolonged hypogonadism. We refer here to this distinct drug toxicity as 'dopa-testotoxicosis'. Given the profound impact in these patients and their families, cessation of dopamine agonists should be considered in men who develop hypersexuality, and pituitary surgery may be required to facilitate this. Awareness of this distinct impulse control disorder should enable further research into the prevalence, natural history and management of dopa-testotoxicosis. The condition is likely under-reported due to the highly personal nature of the symptoms and we suggest a simple written questionnaire to screen for hypersexuality and other behavioural symptoms within the first six months of dopamine agonist treatment.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Oncology
medicine.medical_specialty
Cabergoline
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
030209 endocrinology & metabolism
Pituitary neoplasm
Dopamine agonist
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Endocrinology
Dopamine
Internal medicine
medicine
Humans
Pituitary Neoplasms
Prolactinoma
030212 general & internal medicine
Ergolines
Bromocriptine
Aged
Retrospective Studies
business.industry
Hypogonadism
Quinagolide
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
Dopamine Agonists
Aminoquinolines
Hypersexuality
medicine.symptom
business
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15590100 and 1355008X
- Volume :
- 55
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Endocrine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d342fb25ae263e5b1b68b04176c3fbee