title: Impaired sexual activity in young ischaemic stroke patients: an observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study sought to determine the impact of stroke on sexual function and well-being in a cohort of young ischaemic stroke patients and identify factors associated with impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 2-year period, all patients aged 60 or under with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (n = 156) were included. Information on sexual function and well-being was obtained by means of a paper questionnaire mailed to participants 1 year after their stroke. Impaired sexual activity (ISA) was defined as a decline in sexual function and/or satisfaction. Psychological well-being was evaluated on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 67% (n = 104). Thirty of these responders (29%) reported ISA. Patients with ISA had a higher HADS score (19.7 vs. 11.2 in patients with no impairment; P < 0.001), anxiety score (10.0 vs. 6.3; P < 0.001) and depression score (8.7 vs. 4.8; P < 0.001) and were more likely to have left brain lesions (70% vs. 30%; P < 0.001) and use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (73% vs. 31%; P < 0.001) and diuretics (50% vs. 19%; P = 0.003). In a stepwise logistic regression, depression (odds ratio 9.1, 95% confidence interval 2.45-33.46; P = 0.001) and ACE inhibitor use (odds ratio 6.0, 95% confidence interval 2.11-17.28; P = 0.001) were associated with ISA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Impaired sexual activity was reported by almost one-third of younger patients 1 year after ischaemic stroke. Factors associated with post-stroke ISA may include specific medications and depression rather than the characteristics of the stroke per se.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Amiens University Medical Center, Amiens, France; INSERM U1088, Amiens, France; Laboratory of Functional Neurosciences and Pathology (EA 4559), Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bugnicourt
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hamy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Canaple
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lamy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Legrand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: ischaemic stroke; sexual disorders; stroke