Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction among Persons with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) presents unique personal and social challenges, particularly for those with onset before the age of 50 years. The aim of this article is to evaluate sexual and non-sexual aspects of relationship satisfaction among persons with young-onset PD and their partners. The main outcome measures were Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) and Golombok–Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS). Persons with PD (PWP) and partners who attended the 2005 National Parkinson Foundation Young Onset Network Conference were asked to complete a survey. Each survey included demographics, a clinical history questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), ISS, and GRIMS. Sixty PWP (63% men, 85% in a relationship) responded to the survey. Median age was 50 years (range 29–62), with a median age at symptom onset of 43 years (range 17–55). ISS scores indicated clinically significant sexual dissatisfaction in 37%. Relationship dissatisfaction measured by the GRIMS was scored as “poor” or worse in 57%. Depressive symptomatology was severe in 19% and mild in 33%. Sexual dissatisfaction (ISS) correlated with relationship dissatisfaction (GRIMS) (correlation coefficient [CC]=0.58, P