Objective: Describe the nature of sexual dysfunctions (SD) associated to Parkinson disease (PD) in Tunisian patients. Identify gender related difference of SD in PD.

Background: Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are tightly linked to the pathogenesis of PD. While literature review reports them in 46 to 76% of cases, they are still underdiagnosed and under-treated in Tunisian patients. A clear identification of SD requires a personalized approach for a better management of the disease.

Method: We recruited within the neurology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital from 2013 to 2022 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson disease. We tried to identify sexual dysfunction (SD) through a neuropsychological and a clinical assessment. The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were used to confirm the diagnosis of SD. There were sexual complaints about desire, orgasm, and impulse control. We identified within each category the characteristics of symptoms related to SD, and their differences according to gender.

Results: We recruited 30 patients, with a male/female sex ratio of 0,66, and a mean of age of 64,17 years. We Sexual dysfunction was reported in 76,7% of cases. Gender disparities within the sexual complaints reported showed that men had a predominance of sexual excitation problems like erectile dysfunction 8(67%), while women had more problems of sexual desire 9(50%) and sexual orgasm 5 (28%). Only one patient suffered from impulse control sexual behavior.

Conclusion: Sexual behavior has both neural and hormonal modulation. Lack of dopamine in PD plays an important role in sexual dysfunction. The different responses to dopamine deficiency in both genders highlights the role of other contributive environmental factors in structuring sexual responses and the importance of gender considerations in treating SD in patients with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/gender-related-sexual-dysfunction-in-parkinson-disease-clinical-data-of-a-hospital-cohort-in-tunisia/