Predictors of successful sexual partnering of adults with spina bifida.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed sexual education and function of adults with spina bifida to identify predictors of relationships and sexual activity.


METHODS
A total of 290 patients with spina bifida were clustered into 6 groups based on lesion level, including men in group 1-less than L2, group 2-L3-L5 and group 3-less than S1, and women in group 4-greater than L2, group 5-L3-L5 and group 6-less than S1. Urinary continence, genital sensation and patient educational level were considered. A questionnaire on sexual education, relationship and sexual activity was administered.


RESULTS
No difference in the incontinence rate was noted between males and females. Men had learned sex education from friends/media (41.6%) and women had learned it from parents (37.5%) or at school (33.7%). Genital sensation was normal in 7.2%, 53.3% and 53.5% of the patients in groups 1 to 3, respectively. Patients in group 3 had more frequent sexual intercourse than those in group 1 or 2 (30% vs 14.3% and 14.2%, respectively). Genital sensation was decreased in group 4 patients compared to those in groups 5 and 6 (44.4% vs 13% and 3.5%, respectively). Patients in group 4 were more sexually active than those in groups 5 and 6 (p <0.05). Lesion level did not affect the ability to form relationships in patients of either gender. Education level was the same across all patients with no difference when male/female groups were compared by lesion level. Predictors indicated that patients with the highest chance of finding a partner and engaging in sexual activity were those with the lowest lesion level. However, all other predictors were statistically significant (p <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Sex counseling should be part of the regular medical care in patients with spina bifida. A difference exists between males and females when comparing lesion level and sexual activity.
Gatti
Claudia
C
Spina Bifida Rehabilitation Center, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
Del Rossi
Carmine
C
Ferrari
Adriano
A
Casolari
Emilio
E
Casadio
Giovanni
G
Scire
Gabriella
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012736:Sex Education; D019529:Sexuality; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult