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Sexual disorders in Huntington's disease
J P Fedoroff1, C Peyser, M L Franz
1University of Toronto School of Medicine, Ontario, Canada.
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Sexual disorders are common in Huntington
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Human Sexuality
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder.
- Sexual dysfunction is a potential complication of HD.
- Limited unbiased data exists on the prevalence and types of sexual disorders in HD patients and their partners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and nature of sexual disorders in an unbiased sample of Huntington's disease patients.
- To assess sexual disorders in partners of Huntington's disease patients.
- To explore potential associations between specific sexual dysfunctions and paraphilic disorders in HD patients.
Main Methods:
- Assessed sexual disorders using DSM-III-R criteria in 39 Huntington's disease patients and 32 partners.
- Analyzed the types and frequency of reported sexual disorders.
- Investigated correlations between inhibited orgasm, increased sexual interest, and paraphilic disorders.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of sexual disorders was observed: 82% in HD patients and 66% in partners.
- Hypoactive sexual disorder was the most common diagnosis in both groups.
- HD patients with inhibited orgasm and increased sexual interest showed a higher incidence of paraphilic disorders.
Conclusions:
- Sexual disorders are highly prevalent in individuals with Huntington's disease and their partners.
- Hypoactive sexual disorder is a significant issue for this population.
- The co-occurrence of inhibited orgasm, increased sexual interest, and paraphilias in HD patients warrants further research into potential etiological links.