Abstract
Purpose
To assess the frequency and nature of sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS)
patients and to investigate the relationships of SD with clinical, demographic and
psychosocial factors by comparing MS patients with and without SD.
Methods
Eighty-nine patients were included, 45 males and 44 females, aging an average of 37.4±8.6 years (range:21–56). We applied Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19
(MSISQ-19) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) to all patients. Disability
was evaluated with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS).
Results
60.7% (n=54) of patients reported SD according to MSISQ scores. Women exhibited significantly
higher MSISQ scores than men (42.6±12.9 and 36.6±13.3, respectively; P=0.034). Women (7.9%) also reported to experience sexual arousal difficulties significantly
more than men (1.1%) (P=0.024) according to ASEX. The patients were classified into three MSISQ-19 subscales,
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary SD. The most common reported dimension of SD was secondary
(32.5%, n=41). In this dimension of SD, patients mostly complained of pain-burning, memory-concentration
problems and bowel symptoms. A significant relationship was found between Secondary
SD and both EDSS score and disease duration (r=0.34 p=0.001 and r=0.21 p=0.042, respectively). Tertiary SD was also associated with EDSS score (r=0.23 p=0.03).
Conclusion
Sexual Dysfunction, a frequent problem for MS patients, is associated with gender.
Women reported more SD than men. Secondary SD symptoms were the most common complaints
for both men and women. Nonetheless women had more secondary SD symptoms than men.
The emotional dimension of SD is related with disability.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 17, 2012
Accepted:
August 27,
2012
Received in revised form:
August 18,
2012
Received:
March 27,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
