Matej Kolenc1, Jan Kobal2, Simon Podnar3. 1. Department of Neurology, General Hospital Novo mesto, Slovenia. Electronic address: kolencm@gmail.com. 2. Clinical Department for Vascular Neurology and Intensive Neurologic Therapy, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia. 3. Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract
AIMS: To report sexual dysfunction in a systematically studied cohort of men with Huntington's disease (HD), and compare them with control men of a similar age. METHODS: In men with HD and asymptomatic HD gene carriers, the male sexual dysfunction questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function--IIEF, covering erectile and orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction), neurologic assessment using the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and the Total Functional Capacity (TFC) Score were utilized. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 23 HD patients and 2 HD gene carriers. HD patients reported more problems with erection, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction (p<0.05) compared to 41 controls. HD patients generally reported reduced sexual desire and performance. Sexual dysfunction progressed in parallel with patients' decline in motor (UHDRS) and TFC, but was not related to patients' age and duration of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a significant impact of HD on male sexual function that progressed in parallel with motor and total patient (TFC) dysfunction. Physicians helping HD patients should also consider this largely neglected aspect of the disease.
AIMS: To report sexual dysfunction in a systematically studied cohort of men with Huntington's disease (HD), and compare them with control men of a similar age. METHODS: In men with HD and asymptomatic HD gene carriers, the male sexual dysfunction questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function--IIEF, covering erectile and orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction), neurologic assessment using the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and the Total Functional Capacity (TFC) Score were utilized. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 23 HDpatients and 2 HD gene carriers. HDpatients reported more problems with erection, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction (p<0.05) compared to 41 controls. HDpatients generally reported reduced sexual desire and performance. Sexual dysfunction progressed in parallel with patients' decline in motor (UHDRS) and TFC, but was not related to patients' age and duration of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a significant impact of HD on male sexual function that progressed in parallel with motor and total patient (TFC) dysfunction. Physicians helping HDpatients should also consider this largely neglected aspect of the disease.
Keywords:
Autonomic dysfunction; Depression; Deterioration of sexual function; Erection; Huntington's disease; Male sexual dysfunction; Sexual questionnaire; Total functional capacity