Purpose Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) variably report sexual dysfunctions. We assessed sexuality in PD by comparing sexual function between a large group of patients with idiopathic PD and a group of subjects without PD. Methods We recruited 121 patients with mild-to-moderate PD (aged 40–80 years) from four Italian Movement Disorder Clinics and 123 non-Parkinsonian controls (NPC) (aged 40–80 years). Sexual function was assessed with four scales: the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning (BISF-M for men; BISF-W for women), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Both groups also underwent assessment with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and patients were assessed with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8). Results No differences in total score were found between PD and NPC for any sexual function scale (BISF-M, BISF-W, IIEF, FSFI: p > 0.05). However, the Orgasm/Pleasure Domain (BISF, D5) was significantly lower in male patients than in controls. Conclusion Our findings fail to confirm previous findings that PD is associated with a significant sexual impairment. NPC and patients with PD have comparable sexual function in both sexes. Thus, rather than dismissing sexual dysfunction as a normal parkinsonian symptom, physicians should refer patients to sexual medicine specialists who can investigate and discuss problems fully, diagnose possible comorbidities, and suggest appropriate treatments.

Abnormal sexuality in Parkinson's disease : fact or fancy? / R. Ferrucci, M. Panzeri, L. Ronconi, G. Ardolino, F. Cogiamanian, S. Barbieri, P. Barone, L. Bertolasi, A. Padovani, A. Priori. - In: JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES. - ISSN 0022-510X. - 369(2016 Oct), pp. 5-10. [10.1016/j.jns.2016.07.058]

Abnormal sexuality in Parkinson's disease : fact or fancy?

R. Ferrucci
Primo
;
M. Panzeri
Secondo
;
A. Priori
Ultimo
2016

Abstract

Purpose Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) variably report sexual dysfunctions. We assessed sexuality in PD by comparing sexual function between a large group of patients with idiopathic PD and a group of subjects without PD. Methods We recruited 121 patients with mild-to-moderate PD (aged 40–80 years) from four Italian Movement Disorder Clinics and 123 non-Parkinsonian controls (NPC) (aged 40–80 years). Sexual function was assessed with four scales: the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning (BISF-M for men; BISF-W for women), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Both groups also underwent assessment with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and patients were assessed with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8). Results No differences in total score were found between PD and NPC for any sexual function scale (BISF-M, BISF-W, IIEF, FSFI: p > 0.05). However, the Orgasm/Pleasure Domain (BISF, D5) was significantly lower in male patients than in controls. Conclusion Our findings fail to confirm previous findings that PD is associated with a significant sexual impairment. NPC and patients with PD have comparable sexual function in both sexes. Thus, rather than dismissing sexual dysfunction as a normal parkinsonian symptom, physicians should refer patients to sexual medicine specialists who can investigate and discuss problems fully, diagnose possible comorbidities, and suggest appropriate treatments.
BISF; FSFI; IIEF; Parkinson's disease; Sexual function; Sexuality; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Sex Characteristics; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexuality; Neurology; Neurology (clinical)
Settore MED/26 - Neurologia
ott-2016
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Ferrucci 2017.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 316.1 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
316.1 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/503208
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 2
  • Scopus 13
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 12
social impact