Risk factors for pathologic gambling and other compulsions among Parkinson's disease patients taking dopamine agonists.
Three hundred patients with Parkinson's disease taking dopamine agonists were surveyed for the presence of compulsions. Fifty-eight reported active compulsions which had developed after initiation of dopamine agonists. These included 25 with sexual compulsions and 28 with self-described compulsive gambling, of whom 17 met criteria for pathologic gambling. Males were over-represented. Patients with any compulsion and those with pathologic gambling were about 6 years younger than those without compulsions. These behavioral problems were not associated with an individual dopamine agonist, nor dose or duration, nor concomitant levodopa. Follow-up of the pathologic gamblers 1 year after intervention, which was cessation of the dopamine agonist in most cases, found ongoing but controlled gambling in five and complete cessation within 4 months in the remainder.
Singh
Asha
A
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9036, USA.
Kandimala
Geetha
G
Dewey
Richard B
RB
O'Suilleabhain
Padraig
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists