title: Sexual dysfunction of male, after pelvic fracture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pelvic fractures are usually the result of high-energy trauma, and sexual dysfunction after a pelvic fracture is an often complication. Though organic pathologies can be the reason for sexual disorders, psychological factors following a trauma may also be linked to sexual problems. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of sexual dysfunction after pelvic fractures, and help these patients with their usually undisclosed sexual problems, and offer them support.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 4-year period, between June 2008 and May 2012, 40 male patients (out of 57) with a mean age of 42.6 years (range 18-65 years) were evaluated retrospectively. Patients having organic pathologies (vascular, neural, and urogenital system pathologies) were excluded from the study. Patients were requested to complete the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), which is a 5-item self-evaluation scale. According to the results of the questionnaire, patients needing supportive treatment were referred to the psychiatry department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients (55 %) scored 10 points or less in the ASEX questionnaire (normal). Eighteen patients (45 %) had 11 points or more (can be problematic). Four of these 18 patients had a score of 19 points or more (needing psychiatric evaluation). Patients with a score of ≥19 points, for any one item with a score of 5 or 6 points, or any three or more items with a score of 4 points were considered to have a high probability of sexual dysfunction after psychiatric evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of sexual dysfunction in pelvic fractured patients was tested, and the need for investigating sexual disorders is stressed. This study attracts attention to sexual dysfunction after pelvic fractures and the necessity of referring these patients to the related clinics, for treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. cemcopur@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Copuroglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Government Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Government Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciftdemir
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Copuroglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Pelvic trauma; Psychological disorders; Sexual dysfunction