Awareness of Sexually-Transmitted Diseases and Risky Sexual Behavior in Bipolar Patients: A Comparative Study with Healthy Controls

Objective: It is known that patients with bipolar mood disorder have a high risk of acquiring sexually-transmitted diseases (STD). The objective of this study was to evaluate bipolar outpatients regarding their knowledge on STD and possible high risk sexual behaviors, and to compare both sexes in patient group and patients with healthy controls. Method: A total of 129 outpatients with DSM-IV Bipolar Disorder (BP) in remission state and 98 healthy controls were included in the study. Participants were given a demographic questionnaire, an evaluation form about awareness of sexually-transmitted diseases, and a semi-structured form on risky sexual behavior to assess patients' sexual behavior during acute episodes of their illness. Results: In general, level of information about STD was very low. The most known STD was AIDS. 43% (n=55) of bipolar patients reported increased sexual activity during acute episodes. In BP group both sexes displayed high-risk sexual activity, but male patients especially seemed to have more risky behavior. Discussion: It is noteworthy that, although methods of protection from diseases were known to some degree, they were applied properly in neither groups nor sexes. It seems that not only BP patients but general population also need to be informed and educated on risky sexual behavior. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2009; 46: 52-60)