Inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia: A preliminary report

We investigated types of inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB) and patient ch aracteristics in geriatric patients with dementia. The study group consiste d of 133 consecutive geropsychiatric demented patients admitted to our ward . AII patients underwent standardized diagnostic procedures for dementia, a nd ISB was assessed by a questionnaire completed by patients' caregivers an d records during hospitalization. Patients were then subdivided on the basi s of the presence or absence of ISB. Of 133 demented patients, 20 (15.0%) w ere reported to demonstrate ISB at home or during hospitalization. Patients with ISB had various types of dementia. There were no significant differen ces in patients with and without ISB in regard to age, age of onset, gender , educational level, or Mini-Mental State Examination scores. ISB is not un usual in dementia patients and can be found in different types of dementia. Medical care providers need to be trained to discuss sexual issues with ca regivers and offer ideas and training to help cope with patients with ISB.