Abstract
Background: Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are common but underreported in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and have negative impacts on the quality of life (QoL) and partnership. Methods: We analyzed the data set from the PRISM study for demographics of SD and their influence on quality of life and partnership. Results: 449/861 (52.1%) PD patients reported SD, with male patients being affected more often and having a longer course of disease. The most common SD in men was erectile dysfunction (ED) (n = 152), while women’s most frequent complaints were orgasm dysfunction (n = 84) and reduced libido (n = 81). Hypersexual SDs were reported significantly more often by men. Spousal caregivers of patients reporting inability to relax and enjoy sex and reduced libido indicated a negative influence on the relationship in general. Negative effects on the sexual relationship were reported significantly more often for patients with ED, difficulties with sexual arousal, inability to relax and enjoy sex, and reduced libido. Hypersexual dysfunctions showed no effect on the relationship. Conclusion: SD is a common but underreported problem in the treatment of patients with PD. Due to the negative influence on the relationship and QoL of patients and caregivers, SD should be assessed routinely.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease and clinically characterized by the cardinal motor symptoms of bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability [1]
In addition to the characteristic motor features, non-motor symptoms (NMS) such as sleep disorders, affective disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms, or sexual dysfunction have a high prevalence in PD [5,6,7], and their impact on health-related quality of life often exceeds the effect of motor symptoms [8,9]
Our study shows the high prevalence of Sexual dysfunctions (SD) in PD and a negative impact on quality of life
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease and clinically characterized by the cardinal motor symptoms of bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability [1]. Sexual dysfunctions (SD) have a high impact on quality of life (QoL) [8,9,10]. With a prevalence up to 79%, erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common complaint in PD men [12]. Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are common but underreported in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and have negative impacts on the quality of life (QoL) and partnership. The most common SD in men was erectile dysfunction (ED) (n = 152), while women’s most frequent complaints were orgasm dysfunction (n = 84) and reduced libido (n = 81). Spousal caregivers of patients reporting inability to relax and enjoy sex and reduced libido indicated a negative influence on the relationship in general. Negative effects on the sexual relationship were reported significantly more often for patients with ED, difficulties with sexual arousal, inability to relax and enjoy sex, and reduced libido. Due to the negative influence on the relationship and QoL of patients and caregivers, SD should be assessed routinely
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