Discussing sexuality with Parkinson's disease patients: a multinational survey among neurologists
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Discussing sexuality with Parkinson's disease patients: a multinational survey among neurologists. / de Rooy, F B B; Buhmann, C; Schönwald, B; Martinez-Martin, P; Rodriguez-Blazquez, C; Putter, H; Elzevier, H W; van der Plas, A A.
In: J NEURAL TRANSM, Vol. 126, No. 10, 10.2019, p. 1273-1280.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Discussing sexuality with Parkinson's disease patients: a multinational survey among neurologists
AU - de Rooy, F B B
AU - Buhmann, C
AU - Schönwald, B
AU - Martinez-Martin, P
AU - Rodriguez-Blazquez, C
AU - Putter, H
AU - Elzevier, H W
AU - van der Plas, A A
PY - 2019/10
Y1 - 2019/10
N2 - Sexual dysfunction is a major non-motor feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) that may affect the quality of life of many patients. In a Dutch survey, we demonstrated that neurologists often fail to discuss sexuality with their patients. Our objective was to determine to which extent neurologists in Spain and Germany address sexuality with their patients and whether cross-cultural differences exist. A 30-item questionnaire was sent out to 1650 German and 460 Spanish neurologists. The questionnaire addressed attitudes, knowledge, barriers, and feelings of responsibility regarding sexuality in PD. 160 German and 32 Spanish respondents completed and returned the questionnaire. The majority of German and Spanish participants discuss sexual dysfunction 'regularly' with male patients (61.7% and 78.9%, respectively), but 'seldom' with female patients (68.8% and 78.1%, respectively). Important barriers for German and Spanish respondents to discuss sexual dysfunction were patients not expressing sexual complaints spontaneously (52.9% and 75.0%, respectively) and insufficient consultation time (32.2% and 71.9%, respectively). Sexual dysfunction in PD was considered important by 68.3% of German and 96.9% of Spanish participants. German and Spanish neurologists do not routinely discuss sexual dysfunction with their patients, although many of them consider it important to address this topic. It is unclear why this lack of discussing sexual dysfunction is especially found for female patients and whether cultural aspects are involved. We recommend a self-assessment tool for patients to track their symptoms prior to consultation visits and advocate local guidelines that formulate who is responsible for discussing sexual dysfunction.
AB - Sexual dysfunction is a major non-motor feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) that may affect the quality of life of many patients. In a Dutch survey, we demonstrated that neurologists often fail to discuss sexuality with their patients. Our objective was to determine to which extent neurologists in Spain and Germany address sexuality with their patients and whether cross-cultural differences exist. A 30-item questionnaire was sent out to 1650 German and 460 Spanish neurologists. The questionnaire addressed attitudes, knowledge, barriers, and feelings of responsibility regarding sexuality in PD. 160 German and 32 Spanish respondents completed and returned the questionnaire. The majority of German and Spanish participants discuss sexual dysfunction 'regularly' with male patients (61.7% and 78.9%, respectively), but 'seldom' with female patients (68.8% and 78.1%, respectively). Important barriers for German and Spanish respondents to discuss sexual dysfunction were patients not expressing sexual complaints spontaneously (52.9% and 75.0%, respectively) and insufficient consultation time (32.2% and 71.9%, respectively). Sexual dysfunction in PD was considered important by 68.3% of German and 96.9% of Spanish participants. German and Spanish neurologists do not routinely discuss sexual dysfunction with their patients, although many of them consider it important to address this topic. It is unclear why this lack of discussing sexual dysfunction is especially found for female patients and whether cultural aspects are involved. We recommend a self-assessment tool for patients to track their symptoms prior to consultation visits and advocate local guidelines that formulate who is responsible for discussing sexual dysfunction.
U2 - 10.1007/s00702-019-02053-5
DO - 10.1007/s00702-019-02053-5
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 31396705
VL - 126
SP - 1273
EP - 1280
JO - J NEURAL TRANSM
JF - J NEURAL TRANSM
SN - 0300-9564
IS - 10
ER -