Relation between sexual dysfunctions and epilepsy, type of epilepsy, type of antiepileptic drugs: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of sexual dysfunctions in males with epilepsy, the type of epilepsy, the frequency of seizures, the type of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), the serum hormonal profile and the presence of psychiatric comorbidity.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients focused on type of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, AEDs, hormonal profile and presence of mood disorders. We excluded all patients with severe neurologic and psychiatric impairment and patient who were not able to fill questionnaires. Mean age was 31.2 years (range 18-50 years); 31 patients (50.8%) had an idiopathic generalised epilepsy and 30 (49.2%) a focal epilepsy; among them, latter 18 (60%) had probably symptomatic type and 12 (40%) symptomatic type. Sexual functions were evaluated by "International Inventory of Erectile Function" questionnaire.


RESULTS
Out of 61 enrolled patients, 22 (36.7%) showed sexual dysfunctions: erectile dysfunctions in 14 (23%), orgasmic dysfunctions in (11.5%) and sexual drive dysfunctions in 12 (19.7%). Out of 61 patients, 36 were subjected to blood measurement of sexual hormones and 21 (58.3%) showed hormonal modifications.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual dysfunction are present in 36.7% of enrolled males with epilepsy; there is any association between sexual dysfunctions and various AEDs in the treatment, except for carbamazepine (CBZ); there is not any association between sexual dysfunctions and frequency of seizures; hormonal changes are associated with sexual dysfunction in males with epilepsy treated with AEDs but not with the orgasmic dysfunction; there is not any association between hormonal changes and type of AEDs, except for CBZ; depression is associated with sexual dysfunctions.
Department of Emergency General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Palermo, Palermo - Italy.
Carlo
C
Pavone
Department of Emergency General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Palermo, Palermo - Italy.
Ninfa
N
Giacalone
Department of Emergency General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Palermo, Palermo - Italy.
Marco
M
Vella
Department of Neurology, Civic Hospital S. Antonio Abate, Trapani - Italy.
Lidia
L
Urso
Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinic Neuroscience, University of Palermo, Palermo - Italy.
Leila
L
Zummo
Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinic Neuroscience, University of Palermo, Palermo - Italy.
Brigida
B
Fierro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D013739:Testosterone