Sexual dysfunction among patients with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Previous studies have reported a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the current study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of PD as a potential risk factor for SD in both genders. Methods We performed a comprehensive search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. All observational studies comparing the prevalence of SD in PD with the general population were included. Results After screening 22 studies were included in our qualitative and statistical analysis. We included 13 studies that reported odds ratio (OR) and found a significant association between PD and SD (pooled OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 2.19–5.58). Five studies included only male patients and reported an OR of 3.34 (95% CI = 1.34–8.35; heterogeneity I2 = 81%, Tau2 = 0.79, p < 0.00), while seven studies included both sexes and reported an OR of 3.55 (95% CI = 1.89–6.66; heterogeneity I2 = 78%, Tau2 = 0.53, p < 0.00). Conclusion In conclusion, our study suggests a strong association between PD and SD in both men and women. Our analysis of 22 observational studies reveals that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is significantly higher in patients with PD compared to the general population. These findings highlight the importance of addressing SD as part of the comprehensive management of patients with PD.