Sexual function in women with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is an inflammatory disease of central nervous system [CNS] and sexual dysfunction [SD] is one of the most common disabilities of MS women. The aim of this study was to determine sexual function of women with MS [multiple sclerosis]. One hundred definite MS patients MS patients and fifty age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic data [sex, age], duration of the disease and disease pattern extracted from patient's files and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] recorded for each patient by an expert neurologist. Participants were asked to answer the valid and reliable Persian version of Beck depression inventory [BDI] and Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] questionnaires. The total FSFI score and subscale scores differed significantly between the MS patients and the controls. There was a significant negative correlation between EDSS and FSFI scores [rho=-0.44, P<0.001] and significant positive correlation between EDSS and BDI [rho=0.36,P<0.001] in patients. Mean BDI and all subscales of FSFI differed significantly between patients with total FSFI score higher and lower than 26.55. Sexual dysfunction should be considered in women with multiple sclerosis