Sexual Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: A Case-Control Study Using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale and QUIP-RS in a Brazilian Cohort.

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) that can negatively affect quality of life, yet data from Latin American populations remain scarce. To compare the prevalence of SD between individuals with PD and controls and explore factors associated with SD. This case-control study included 60 patients with PD and 60 controls recruited in Brazil. SD was assessed using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, hypersexuality with the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP-RS), and autonomic symptoms with the SCOPA-AUT. Motor severity was assessed using the MDS-UPDRS Part III and Hoehn and Yahr staging. SD was identified in 56.7% of participants with PD and 41.7% of controls, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.273). Within the PD group, SD was associated with female sex, depressive symptoms, greater motor severity, and absence of dopamine agonist use. Hypersexuality was observed in 3.4% of participants. SD was highly prevalent in both groups and appeared to be influenced by psychological, clinical, and treatment-related factors rather than PD alone. These findings support routine multidimensional assessment of sexual health in clinical practice.