Sexual dysfunction ın multiple sclerosis: gender differences.
OBJECTIVE
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Clinical Psychology, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey.
Dilaram Billur
DB
Celik
Esra Çoşkuner
EÇ
Poyraz
Ayhan
A
Bingöl
Egemen
E
Idiman
Serkan
S
Ozakbaş
Derya
D
Kaya
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires