90 Sahu et al., Int J Med Res Heath Sci. 2015;4(1):90-93 International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences www.ijmrhs.com Volume 4 Issue 1 Coden: IJMRHS Copyright @2014 ISSN: 2319-5886 Received: 25 th Sep 2014 Revised: 25 th Oct 2014 Accepted: 2 nd Dec 2014 Research article DHAT SYNDROME AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND PYSCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES IN MALES: A CASE CONTROL STUDY *Sahu RN 1 , Sharma VK 2 , Ashutosh Kumar 3 , Chintan Bavishi 4 , Balaji More 5 1 Head and Professor, 3 Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India 2 WHO Fellow (USA), Head and Professor, Department of Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India 4 Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy Management, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra *Corresponding author email: as.anju@yahoo.in ABSTRACT Background: Dhat syndrome is often taken as culture bound syndrome (CBS) of Indian subcontinent. There are many misconceptions which form base of symptoms and co morbidities. Aim: Dhat syndrome is reported on basis of self diagnosis. The study aims to study associated symptoms, sexual behavior and co morbidities in Indian population. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional and case-control study was carried with help of trained local interviewers at Department of Psychiatry and Medicine, Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Associated Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal, India. Cases were compared to healthy matched controls. The study was conducted using clinical interview, physical examination and other necessary investigations like urine analysis and microscopy. Results: Of the 50 cases and control, each, age group was 21 to 25 years (48%) and education upto12 th class (60%). 20% cases reported history of Masturbation. Extramarital or premarital sexual contact was found to have little significance on the syndrome. 76% of the patients met DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Anxiety and 56% patients met for Depression. 23 patients (46.3%) were having a co-morbid somatic complains like body ache, weakness and fatigue. Erectile dysfunction by 34% & premature ejaculation by 8% was reported. In Urine routine analysis and microscope no oxalates or phosphates were noted. Conclusions: Dhat syndrome is more common among low educated young population. Laboratory evidence of any pathological cause was not found. Contrary to popular belief, it had no direct correlation with masturbation and pre and extra marital sexual contact. Keywords: Dhat Syndrome, Semen, Sexual behavior, Somatic symptoms, Erectile dysfunction INTRODUCTION Dhat syndrome is a Culture bound syndrome 1 . But it has been mentioned in medical history and reported by population worldwide. The culture has a profound impact on the mental status of an individual. According to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) – 10 had classified Dhat syndrome had been classified in both neurotic disorder (F48.8) and into culture specific disorder caused by ‘undue concern about the debilitating effects of the passage of DOI: 10.5958/2319-5886.2015.00015.6