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Sexual well being in parkinsonian patients after deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus

¹ Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Science, Turin, Italy
² Department of Neuroscience, Turin, Italy
³ Division of Neurosurgery, CTO Hospital, Turin, Italy

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Castelli Lorys
Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Science, Via Po 14, 10123 Turin, Italy; castelli{at}psych.unito.it

Objectives: To evaluate changes in sexual well being in a group of patients with Parkinson’s disease following deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN).

Methods: 31 consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease (21 men and 10 women), bilaterally implanted for DBS of STN, were evaluated one month before and 9–12 months after surgery. Sexual functioning was assessed using a reduced form of the Gollombok Rust inventory of sexual satisfaction (GRISS). Depression (Beck depression inventory) and anxiety (STAI-X1/X2) were also evaluated. Relations between sexual functioning and modifications in the severity of disease (Hoehn and Yahr stage), reduction in levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD), age, and duration of disease were analysed.

Results: While no modifications were found in female patients, male patients reported slightly but significantly more satisfaction with their sexual life after DBS of STN. When only male patients under 60 years old were considered, a greater improvement in sexual functioning was found, though still small. Modifications in depressive symptoms and anxiety, as well as duration of the disease, reduction in LEDD, and improvement in the severity of disease, showed no relation with changes in sexual functioning after DBS of STN.

Conclusions: DBS of STN appears to affect sexual functioning in a small but positive way. Male patients with Parkinson’s disease, especially when under 60, appeared more satisfied with their sexual well being over a short term follow up period.

Abbreviations: BDI, Beck depression inventory; DBS, deep brain stimulation; GRISS, Gollombok Rust inventory of sexual satisfaction; H-Y, Hoehn and Yahr stage; LEDD, levodopa equivalent daily dosage; SFI, sexual functioning inventory; STAI, state-trait anxiety inventory; STN, subthalamic nucleus

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; deep brain stimulation; subthalamic nucleus; sexuality

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