Sexual Dysfunction in Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study

Sexual dysfunction in a sample of Egyptian patients with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common, yet underdiagnosed problem in Parkinson Disease (PD) patients. It can negatively impact their quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcome. we tried to assess SD in a group of Egyptian PD patients.

METHODS

The study is a case-control, cross-sectional study that included 200 participants, consisting of 100 PD patients and 100 matched healthy controls. Social, demographic information, and clinical variables were collected from both groups. Sexual functions were assessed using the Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI), and the Arabic version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

RESULTS

Women with PD scored worse on FSFI total score compared to controls (p < 0.001). Regarding the FSFI domains, they scored significantly lower in individual domains of desire (p < 0.001), arousal (p < 0.001), lubrication (p = 0.006), orgasm (p < 0.001), satisfaction (p < 0.001), and pain (p = 0.003), compared with controls. Men with PD scored worse on IIEF total scores compared to controls (p < 0.001). They showed significantly worse scores of erectile functions (p < 0.001), orgasmic function (p < 0.001), sexual desire (p < 0.001), intercourse satisfaction (p < 0.001), and overall satisfaction (p < 0.001). Both groups reported significant effect of SD on their QoL. There was a significant correlation between disease severity and SD.

CONCLUSION

SD is common in PD patients. It negatively impacts their QoL and partnership. Healthcare professionals should initiate conversations about SD with the patients and provide appropriate education and treatment options.

Sexual dysfunction in men with young onset Parkinson's disease

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common, yet under-reported non-motor symptom of PD. Common sexual symptoms among male PD patients include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and decreased sexual desire. Few research papers have examined sexual dysfunction in PD, especially in YOPD male patients, and there is no Indian research study on sexual dysfunction in YOPD. In this study, we determined the frequency of sexual dysfunction in men with YOPD, and its correlation with other motor and NMS. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on YOPD males who presented to the Department of Neurology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India, from May 2021 to April 2023. The diagnosis of YOPD was made based on MDS criteria for IPD 2015. Sexual functions were evaluated by ASEX, PEDT, QUIP-RS, and sex hormone assay. The patients also underwent other motor and non-motor assessments. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. The study was funded by the PDMD fund. This study included 62 male YOPD patients. The mean age of cases was 44.74 ± 8.54 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 8.45 ± 6.23 years. 43.5% of the cases of PD were Akinetic rigid type. By ASEX Score grading, 46.8% of the cases had erectile dysfunction and 71% of the cases of YOPD had premature ejaculation by PEDT Score grading. 9.7% of the cases had hypersexuality by QUIP-RS. Duration of YOPD was a better predictor of Erectile Dysfunction and premature ejaculation when compared with other variables. SD was related to anxiety and depression and it had a negative impact on the patient's health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). SD should be investigated and treated as an integral part of the neurological assessment in YOPD.

The Impact of Motor, Non-Motor, and Social Aspects on the Sexual Health of Men Living with Parkinson's Disease

Background

Sexual health (SH) is influenced by several biological, mental, and social factors that may be negatively impacted by Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite its prevalence and relevance for quality of life, the factors that affect SH in men with PD (MwPD) are still poorly understood.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of motor, non-motor, and social aspects on the SH in MwPD.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 80 men (mean-age 53.55±10.8) in stages 1-3 of Hoehn and Yahr classification (H&Y), who reported having an active sex life in the last six months. The following data were collected for each person: 1) Demographic and clinical features; 2) global cognitive capacity (T-MoCA); 3) Non-Motor Aspects of Experiences of Daily Living (MDS-UPDRS, part I); 4) Motor Aspects of Experiences of Daily Living (MDS-UPDRS, part II); 5) Fatigue (FSS); 6) Self-esteem (RSES); 7) Sleep disorder (PDSS); 8) Couple relationship quality (DAS); 9) Depressive signals (BDI); 10) Short-term sexual health by International Index of Erectile Function (IIFE); and 11) Long-term sexual health by Sexual Quotient-Male (SQ-M).

Results

Our results showed that although several motor, non-motor, and social factors were correlated with SH, only motor disability levels in daily living predicted short-term SH and erectile dysfunction, while only depression predicted long-term SH in MwPD. Age, disease onset, and medication daily dosage were not correlated with SH.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that multidimensional factors can affect the SH of MwPD and emphasize that only a multi-professional team can offer proper care to improve SH in MwPD.

Comparison of disability level between Early and Late Onset Parkinson's Disease using WHODAS 2

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that usually affects people over the age of 60. However, 10%-20% of patients have an early onset of PD (EOPD).

Objectives

To compare disability levels according to the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS-2) between people with EOPD and those with late-onset PD (LOPD).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 95 EOPD patients (mean-age 44.51 ± 4.63, H&Y 1.93 ± 0.93) and 255 LOPD patients (mean-age 63.01 ± 7.99, H&Y 2.02 ± 0.95). Demographic information, clinical characteristics, cognitive evaluation by Telephone-Montreal-Cognitive-Assessment (T-MoCA), functionality self-evaluation by WHODAS-2 and the Unified-Parkinson's-Disease-Rating-Scale (MDS-UPDRS), parts I and II, were documented for each patient by an individual remote interview.

Results

Analysis showed a statistically significant difference between EOPD and LOPD in two domains of WHODAS-2 only: cognition (Z-adjusted = 2.60; p-value adjusted <0.009) and activities of daily living related to work/school (Z-adjusted = 2.34; p-value adjusted <0.01). T-MoCA scores confirmed more impaired cognition capacity in LOPD (Z-adjusted = 2.42; p-value adjusted <0.01). The two groups had no significant differences in levodopa daily dosage, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stages, disease time duration, and MDS-UPDRS I and II scores.

Conclusion

People living with EOPD face similar disability levels as those with LOPD, except for cognition, where LOPD patients exhibited higher levels of disability than EOPD and for work activities where the EOPD exhibited higher levels of disability than LODP. These results highlight the challenges faced by people with EOPD in interacting with society and living with the disease for a longer time. The WHODAS-2 can be a useful tool to assess disability and tailor interventions for people with PD of different age groups.

Sexual dysfunction among patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In the current study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of PD as a potential risk factor for SD in both genders.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. All observational studies comparing the prevalence of SD in PD with the general population were included.

RESULTS

After screening 22 studies were included in our qualitative and statistical analysis. We included 13 studies that reported odds ratio (OR) and found a significant association between PD and SD (pooled OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 2.19-5.58). Five studies included only male patients and reported an OR of 3.34 (95% CI = 1.34-8.35; heterogeneity I2 = 81%, Tau2 = 0.79, p < 0.00), while seven studies included both sexes and reported an OR of 3.55 (95% CI = 1.89-6.66; heterogeneity I2 = 78%, Tau2 = 0.53, p < 0.00).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study suggests a strong association between PD and SD in both men and women. Our analysis of 22 observational studies reveals that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is significantly higher in patients with PD compared to the general population. These findings highlight the importance of addressing SD as part of the comprehensive management of patients with PD.

Evaluation of the sexual function of men in Kazakhstan during 2021-2022: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

Assessing male sexual function is an important public health issue in every country. In Kazakhstan, there are currently no reliable statistics on male sexual function. The study aimed at the assessment of sexual function in men in Kazakhstan.

Methods

Men between the ages of 18 and 69 from Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, three of Kazakhstan's biggest cities, were included in the cross-sectional study in 2021-2022. A standardized and modified Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) tool was used for participants' interviews. The World Health Organization STEPS questionnaire was employed to gather sociodemographic information, including smoking and alcohol use.

Results

Respondents from three cities: n = 283 from Almaty, n = 254 from Astana, and n = 232 from Shymkent were interviewed. All participants' average age was 39.2 ± 13.4. Kazakhs made up 79.5% of the respondents by nationality; 19.1% who answered questions on physical activity verified that they were involved in high-intensity labor. According to the BSFI questionnaire, the respondents from Shymkent had an average total score of 2.82 ± 0.92, (p ≤ 0.05), which was higher than the total scores of respondents from Almaty (2.69 ± 0.87) and Astana (2.69 ± 0.95). A relationship was found between sexual dysfunction and age indicators over 55 years. Participants with overweight had a relationship with sexual dysfunction with an odds ratio (OR): 1.84 (p = 0.01). According to the smoking factor, in study participants with sexual dysfunction, a relationship was also determined, OR: 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-1.97 (p = 0.001). The presence of high-intensity activity (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 0.04-1.91), and physical inactivity (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.89-1.97) were associated with the presence of sexual dysfunction, p ≤ 0.05.

Conclusions

Our research indicates that men over 50 who smoke, are overweight, and are physically inactive are at risk for sexual dysfunction. Early health promotion may be the most effective method to reduce the negative effects of sexual dysfunction on the health and wellbeing of men over 50.

Sexual needs and sexual function of patients with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a frequent non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) that is rarely addressed, and sexual counseling is sporadic.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate PD patients' SD and sexual counseling motivation and to propose an interventional strategy for movement disorder specialists.

METHODS

All consecutive PD patients who presented to a movement disorder unit between 2018 and 2019 completed anonymous questionnaires containing the Female Sexual Function Index, the International Index of Erectile Function, and a questionnaire on sexual needs and motivation to receive sexual counseling.

RESULTS

The age range of the 100 recruited patients (78 men) was 40-80 years, and the mean disease duration was 8.64 ± 6.84 years. SD appeared at all PD stages. The presence of SD pre-PD diagnosis significantly predicted SD post-diagnosis in men. Erectile dysfunction was the most common male SD (70%). Women reported frequent SD before PD diagnosis and currently. More than half of the responders (74% of the men and 40% of the women) were motivated to receive sexual counseling. Most of them (77.4%) were in a relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this analysis revealed that most PD patients had experienced SD before being diagnosed with PD and were interested in receiving sexual counseling. We propose a six-step intervention strategy for the management of SD in PD designed for application in a movement disorder unit. We also recommend that neurologists and other healthcare providers undergo training to provide basic sexual counseling tailored to the needs of PD patients.

Sexual dysfunction precedes motor defects, dopaminergic neuronal degeneration, and impaired dopamine metabolism: Insights from Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is one of the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and remains the most neglected, under-reported, and under-recognized aspect of PD. Studies have shown that Dopamine (DA) in the hypothalamus plays a role in regulating sexual behavior. But the detailed mechanism of SD in PD is not known. Drosophila melanogaster shares several genes and signaling pathways with humans which makes it an ideal model for the study of a neurodegenerative disorder such as PD. Courtship behavior of Drosophila is one such behavior that is closely related to human sexual behavior and so plays an important role in understanding sexual behavior in diseased conditions as well. In the present study, a sporadic SD model of PD using Drosophila was developed and SD phenotype was observed based on abnormalities in courtship behavior markers. The Drosophila SD model was developed in such a way that at the window of neurotoxin paraquat (PQ) treatment [PQ is considered a crucial risk factor for PD due to its structural similarity with 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP+), the active form of PD-inducing agent, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)], it does not exhibit mobility defects but shows SD. The whole brain tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining showed no observable dopaminergic (DAergic) degeneration (number of DA neurons and fluorescence intensity of fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies that target anti-TH primary antibody) of the SD model. Similarly, there was no significant depletion of brain DA and its metabolite levels (HVA and DOPAC) as determined using HPLC-ECD (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography using Electrochemical Detector). The present study illustrates that the traits associated with courtship and sexual activity provide sensitive markers at the earlier stage of PD onset. This PQ-induced SD fly model throws an opportunity to decipher the molecular basis of SD under PD conditions and to screen nutraceuticals/potential therapeutic molecules to rescue SD phenotype and further to DAergic neuroprotection.

Selected autonomic signs and symptoms as risk markers for phenoconversion and functional dependence in prodromal Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE

To determine whether dysautonomia can stratify individuals with other prodromal markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) for risk of phenoconversion and functional decline, which may help identify subpopulations appropriate for experimental studies.

METHODS

Data were obtained from Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. Cohorts without PD but with at-risk features were included (hyposmia and/or rapid-eye-movement-sleep behavior disorder, LRRK2 gene mutation, GBA gene mutation). Dysautonomia measures included Scales-for-Outcomes-in-Parkinson's-Disease Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT), seven SCOPA-AUT subscales, and cardiovascular dysfunction (supine hypertension, low pulse pressure, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension). Outcome measures were phenoconversion and Schwab-and-England Activities-of-Daily-Living (SE-ADL) ≤ 70, which indicates functional dependence. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to evaluate survival to phenoconversion/SE-ADL ≤ 70 for each dysautonomia measure. If a significant association was identified, a likelihood-ratio test was employed to evaluate whether a significant interaction existed between the measure and cohort. If so, regression analysis was repeated stratified by cohort.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 30 months. On multivariable analysis, gastrointestinal and female sexual dysfunction subscales were associated with increased risk of phenoconversion, while the cardiovascular subscale and neurogenic orthostatic hypotension were associated with increased risk of SE-ADL ≤ 70; respective hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.13 (1.01-1.27), 3.26 (1.39-7.61), 1.87 (1.16-2.99), 5.45 (1.40-21.25). Only the association between the cardiovascular subscale and SE-ADL ≤ 70 was modified by cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms of gastrointestinal and female sexual dysfunction predict phenoconversion in individuals with other risk markers for PD, while signs and symptoms of cardiovascular dysfunction may be associated with functional decline.

Discussing sexual health among Flemish patients with Parkinson’s disease

PURPOSE

Parkinson's disease (PD) can lead to sexual dysfunction. Yet, studies have shown that neurologists do not often discuss possible sexual health consequences with their patients. Thus, in this study, we investigated the communication on sexual health between healthcare workers and PD patients in Flanders, Belgium.

METHODS

Through an online survey, PD patients were contacted. Sexual dysfunction was measured with the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), stage of PD with the Hoehn and Yahr scale, and self-made questions on the communication between healthcare workers and PD patients.

RESULTS

In total, 100 PD patients responded, of which 23% had possible sexual dysfunction. Of these respondents, 60% had never received any information about possible sexual health consequences. More than half (58%) of the patients felt their neurologist should provide information on possible sexual health consequences, though only 14% had ever received information from their neurologist. Male respondents expressed a greater need for information than female respondents (p = .049), although no difference between both groups in receiving information was found (p = .294). In addition, low to middle educated people generally received more information than higher educated people (p = .018).. The more severe the disease is, as measured by the Hoehn and Yahr scale, the more information a patient receives (p = .012). The most frequently mentioned barriers in discussing sexual health are a lack of initiative by the neurologist (41%) and awkwardness to discuss sexuality (41%).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that PD patients expect information from neurologists on possible sexual health consequences, but seldom receive information. More attention should be given to training neurologists in discussing sexual health. Table 1 Characteristics of the sample (N = 100) N % Gender  Male 59 59  Female 41 41 Education level  Lower 4 4  Middle 42 42  Higher 54 54 Relationship status  No partner 10 10  Partner 90 90 Stage of Parkinson (Hoehn & Yahr scale)  Stage 0 3 3  Stage 1 36 36  Stage 1.5 12 12  Stage 2 9 9  Stage 2.5 6 6  Stage 3 21 21  Stage 4 9 9  Stage 5 4 4 Time since diagnosis  Less than 1 years ago 10 10  1-2 years 13 13  2-5 years 32 32  5-10 years 29 29  Longer than 20 years 13 13  10-15 years 2 2  15-20 years 1 1 Received information on sexual health consequences from…  Treating neurologist 14 14  GP 9 9  Geriater 0 0  Nurses 2 2  Psychotherapist 3 3  Sexuologist 1 1  Kinesitherapist 2 2  Other 4 4 Who do you think should provide you information on sexual health consequences  Treating neurologist 58 58  GP 43 43  Geriater 3 3  Nurses 6 6  Psychotherapist 23 23  Sexuologist 17 17  Kinesitherapist 3 3  Other 2 2 How would you like to receive information on possible sexual health consequences?  Brochure 38 38  Online (e.g. website) 38 38  Posters in waiting room 3 3  Personal conversation with healthcare worker 51 51  Other 1 1 From what moment do you think possible sexual health consequences of Parkinson's disease should be discussed?  From the moment of diagnosis 52 52  From moment patient indicates he/she experiences problems 33 33  From moment that the neurologist feels it should be discussed 9 9  Should not be discussed 6 6 Need for information on possible sexual health consequences  No need 31 31  A little need 19 19  Some need 21 21  Need 24 24  A lot of need 5 5 How often has healthcare personnel given you information on sexual health consequences  Never 60 60  Seldom 25 25  Sometimes 12 12  Regularly 3 3  At every consultation 0 0 ASEX  No possible sexual dysfunction 77 77  Possible Sexual dysfunction (score equal to or higher than 19) 23 23 How important are sexual activities for you?  Not important 20 20  Slightly important 33 33  Somewhat important 22 22  Important 18 18  Very important 7 7 I avoid sexual contact because of my disease  Agree completely 8 8  Agree 16 16  Agree somewhat 30 30  Disagree 28 28  Completely disagree 18 18 I feel unsatisfied with my sex life due to my disease  Agree completely 16 16  Agree 22 22  Agree somewhat 32 32  Disagree 20 20  Completely disagree 10 10 Mean Standard deviation Age 66.97 8.88 ASEX 16.02 4.53 Table 2 Associations of ASEX, need for information, receiving information ASEX p Need for information p Receiving information p Gender  Male 16.08 0.948 55.31 0.049 48.69 0.294  Female 16.11 44.13 43.38 Education level  Low-middle 15.83 0.068 53.26 0.356 53.41 0.018  High 16.20 48.06 41.49 Need for information and receiving information scores are mean ranks due to non-parametric tests ASEX scores are means Table 3 Correlations between variables ASEX Age Need for information Receiving information Hoehn and Yahr Importance of sex life Avoiding sex Unsatisfied with sex life ASEX -  - 0.04 0.27* 0.07  - 0.09  - 0.12  - 0.10  - 0.23* Age -  - 0.20 0.10 0.41***  - 0.28**  - 0.16 0.08 Need for information - 0.14  - 0.11 0.38***  - 0.13  - 0.46*** Receiving information - 0.22*  - 0.03  - 0.08  - 0.08 Hoehn and Yahr -  - 0.17  - 0.32**  - 0.17 Importance of sex life - 0.24*  - 0.07 Avoiding sex - 0.48*** Unsatisfied with sex life - ^*p < .05 ^**p < .01 ^***p < .001 Table 4 Regression analyses B (S.E.) Exp(B) P Pseudo R² Nagelkerke Pseudo R² Cox & Snell Need for information 0.013 0.19 0.14  Gender  - 1.23 (0.48) 0.29 0.010  Education level  - 0.62 (0.43) 0.54 0.149  Hoehn and Yahr 0.01 (0.11) 1.01 0.925  ASEX 0.10 (0.06) 1.11 0.060 Receiving information 0.047 0.14 0.11  Gender  - 0.53 (0.45) 0.59 0.232  Education level  - 0.61 (0.41) 0.54 0.137  Hoehn and Yahr 0.29 (0.14) 1.33 0.012  ASEX 0.01 (0.05) 1.01 0.788 Table 5 Barriers to discuss sexual health % (that agree with statements) I do not feel comfortable to discuss sexuality with my neurologist 33 I wait until the neurologist begins discussing it 41 My neurologist is either too young or too old 11 My neurologist is of the other gender 26 Reasons that have to do with my faith or attitude towards sexuality 12 I do not have the feeling there is a solution for these problems (with sexual health) 31 My Parkinson related symptoms overshadow my possible sexual health problems 39 It feels awkward to discuss sexual acts like masturbation or discuss buying of sexual aiding tools 41 My family/partner/friends are present during consultation 37 Reasons that have to do with my sexual orientation 11.

Striatal dopamine transporter imaging in Parkinson’s disease drug-naïve patients: focus on sexual dysfunction

Introduction

Dopamine is involved in sexual behavior, but dopaminergic imaging studies establishing the relationship between nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration and sexual dysfunction (SD) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are lacking.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical and ¹²³I-FP-CIT SPECT data of 43 drug-naïve PD patients. Based on the sexual function domain of the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), we identified 23 patients with sexual concerns (WSC), reporting a score ≥ 2 due to hyposexuality, and 20 patients without sexual concerns (NoSC). Dopamine transporter (DAT) uptake was assessed through semi-quantitative analysis in the most and least affected putamen (maP, laP), and most and least affected caudate (maC, laC). Total putamen-to-caudate ratio and total striatal binding ratio (tSBR) were also quantified.

Results

WSC and NoSC had similar demographic and disease-related characteristics. WSC displayed lower uptake values in maC (p = 0.016), maP (p = 0.004), laC (p = 0.019), laP (p = 0.009), and tSBR (p = 0.006). Pearson correlation analysis revealed, in the WSC group, moderate inverse correlations between the log-transformed SD scores and the uptake in maP (r =  − 0.473, p = 0.023), maC (r =  − 0.428, p = 0.042), laP (r = -0.437, p = 0.037), and tSBR (r =  − 0.460, p = 0.027). After controlling in a two-way ANCOVA model for age and sex, between-group differences,between WSC and NoSC remained statistically significant only for dopaminergic denervation in maP [F(1,38) = 7.478, p = 0.009)], laP [F(1,38) = 4.684, p = 0.037)], and tSBR [F(1,38) = 5.069, p = 0.030].

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the relationship between the severity of SD and specific patterns of nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation (especially involving both putamina) in newly diagnosed drug-naïve PD patients.

Prevalence, clinical presentations and impact on relationship of sexual dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease

Sexual dysfunction is one of the commonest non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been found about twice as high in PD patients compared to age-matched controls. The quality of sexual life is reduced in PD patients compared to healthy peers and impairment affects wide aspects of physical sexual function as well as sexual desire, sexual satisfaction and sexual partnership. Overall, male PD patients are more frequently affected by sexual disorders than females and seem to suffer more from sexual impairment. The reported frequencies and presentations of various sexual dysfunctions vary widely in the literature, which is likely related to the patient cohorts examined, in particular with regard to age and gender, duration and severity of disease and applied measurement instruments. This chapter gives an overview of the prevalence, phenotype and clinical presentation of sexual dysfunction in PD and its influence on the partnership.

The impact of nonmotor symptom burden on sexual function

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is defined as a combination of reduction in libido, and problems with a person's ability to have sex. It is a frequent but neglected and poorly recognized nonmotor symptom (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) which correlates with reduced quality of life (QoL). Hypersexuality forms another spectrum of SD and is an impulse control disorder (ICD) of behavior, which also affects the sexual desires of people with Parkinson's (PwP) and impacts their partner, family, and QoL. NMS occur in various forms and represents a range of symptoms, from cognitive dysfunction to pain and SD, and this chapter explores the relationship of comorbid NMS with SD and also how NMS, motor symptoms, and hypersexuality experienced by patients may impact sexual function in people with Parkinson's (PwP).

Scales and assessments of sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is a very frequent non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, patients are often reluctant to declare their sexual problems and many clinicians do not inquire about them during routine visits. The use of validated rating scales and questionnaires allows overcoming these difficulties, characterizing the nature and causes of the patient's sexual dysfunction, and helping to implement and monitor the most adequate interventions. There is a wide range of instruments available for assessing sexual dysfunction in PD, including generic and specific ones. In this chapter, we review the most used rating scales and questionnaires, with a description of its components, characteristics and psychometric attributes.

Sexual Dysfunctions in Parkinson’s Disease and Their Influence on Partnership—Data of the PRISM Study

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.

Management strategies of sexual dysfunctions in Parkinson's disease

Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are frequent and highly disabling nonmotor manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD) but are also potentially treatable. Neurologists should actively discuss, recognize and treat sexual health issues as an integral part of the management of the disease. In this chapter, we provide recommendations for managing and treating both primary and secondary SD in PD. Many sexual problems can be, at least partially, improved by adjusting the treatment of motor, nonmotor symptoms and comorbidities. Although some treatments of primary SD are evidence-based, many therapeutic options have not been yet systematically studied in patients with PD. The development of new treatments and repurposing of existing remedies in patients with PD remain an unmet need.

Longitudinal evolution of non-motor symptoms in early Parkinson's disease: a 3-year prospective cohort study

The progression of global non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Chinese patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has not been explored. We aimed to examine the longitudinal evolution of overall NMS in a 3-year prospective Chinese cohort with early-stage PD. We included 224 patients with early PD who underwent annual evaluation of motor and non-motor symptoms. NMS was assessed using the non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS). We observed an increased number of NMS in the majority of the NMSS domains except mood/apathy and sexual dysfunctions. Significant deterioration was observed in the sleep/fatigue, perceptual problems/hallucinations, attention/memory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and miscellaneous domains during the follow-up (P < 0.05). Notably, the number and the score of sexual dysfunctions decreased with the progression of the disease. All NMSS domains showed a small effect size from baseline to 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-ups (effect size < 0.5). The generalized estimating equations model indicated that the total number of NMS was significantly associated with age and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III score (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression indicated that a high number of NMS at baseline was associated with a 3-point, a 6-point, and a 9-point increase in the UPDRS III score from baseline to 1-year (odds ratio [OR] 1.074, P = 0.017), 2-year (OR 1.113, P = 0.001), and 3-year (OR 1.117, P < 0.001), respectively. Our study indicated that overall NMS evolution in early PD is mild and multidimensional; a high NMS burden in early PD predicts the faster motor progression of PD. Our study is helpful for understanding the longitudinal evolution of NMS in PD.