Measurement of sexual functioning after spinal cord injury: preferred instruments.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the utility of certain instruments to assess sexuality and fertility after SCI, an expert panel identified key areas to study and evaluated available instruments. These were rated according to certain predefined criteria.


METHODS
The authors divided sexual issues into male and female sexual function, male reproductive function, and female reproductive function. The instruments that have been used most frequently to measure these aspects of sexual function over the past 5 years were identified by expert consensus. Finally, these instruments were subjected to a critical review.


RESULTS
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), measurement of vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the measurement of ejaculatory function and semen quality were considered appropriate measures to assess sexual responses and reproductive function after SCI. There were no measures identified to assess female reproductive function.


CONCLUSIONS
For clinical trials aiming to improve sexual function after SCI, the FSFI or the IIEF is currently preferred. Although VPA is an appropriate means to assess female sexual responses, it is only useful for laboratory studies and is too invasive for use in clinical trials. For assessment of male fertility potential, assessment of ejaculatory capacity and semen analysis are recommended.
Alexander
Marcalee Sipski
MS
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama 35242, USA. spinalcordmed@live.com
Brackett
Nancy L
NL
Bodner
Donald
D
Elliott
Stacy
S
Jackson
Amie
A
Sonksen
Jens
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology; D017156:Photoplethysmography / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014621:Vagina / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult