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JAPNA Article: Coprophilia and Coprophagia: A Literature Review - Jan-Feb 2024 (30.1)

To date, there is a dearth in the current nursing and medical literature on evidenced-based protocols in treating patients with coprophilia and coprophagia.  This is due in part, mostly because there have been only individual case and anecdotal reports of patients with the disorders.  Current incidence and prevalence rates are lacking, which may be due to an underreporting of the disorder. Recent treatment has consisted of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in tandem with psychopharmacologic management but there is not a general consensus on what type of medications work better than others. It is hoped that this article will influence future research to increase knowledge about the disorder, uncover current incidence and prevalence rates, and test the efficacy of specific medication formularies that guide best practice to effect best outcomes for the patient. 

Authors: Jacqueline M. Arnone, PhD, PMHNP-BC; Richard P. Conti, Ph.D.; Joseph H. Preckajlo, Psy.D. student

Disclosures: The APNA planner and authors have no relevant financial relationships or off-label uses to disclose.  

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this article, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify the difference between a paraphilia and a paraphilic disorder.
2. Discuss past and current perspectives on the etiology of coprophilia and coprophagia.
3. Summarize current methods of treatment for the disorder.
4. Recognize the need for further research to inform nurse practitioners with best practice guidelines when treating patients with coprophilia or coprophagia.

Keywords:  Coprophilia, Coprophagia, Paraphilias, Paraphiliac Disorders

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.0 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: read the entire article, complete an evaluation, honor statement, and earn a passing score on the post-test before the expiration date. You will have 5 tries to correctly answer the questions on the posttest and a score of 80% is required to pass. Once you have passed and completed the evaluation and honor statement, your nursing continuing professional development certificate will be generated online and available for immediate printing. Credit cannot be earned unless all components of the program are completed.  

The course will close in eLearning after: February 28, 2026

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

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