1385 IMPACT OF SPINAL CORD INJURY IN FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTION

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Evaluation II1 Apr 20121385 IMPACT OF SPINAL CORD INJURY IN FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTION Jose Castro, Cristiano Gomes, Jose Bessa, Homero Bruschini, Carmita Abdo, Luiz Abreu, Julio Araujo Filho, Daniel Souza, Marcia Scazufca, Linamara Battistella, Tarcisio Barros, and Miguel Srougi Jose CastroJose Castro Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Cristiano GomesCristiano Gomes Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Jose BessaJose Bessa Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Homero BruschiniHomero Bruschini Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Carmita AbdoCarmita Abdo Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Luiz AbreuLuiz Abreu Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Julio Araujo FilhoJulio Araujo Filho Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Daniel SouzaDaniel Souza Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Marcia ScazufcaMarcia Scazufca Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Linamara BattistellaLinamara Battistella Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , Tarcisio BarrosTarcisio Barros Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author , and Miguel SrougiMiguel Srougi Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.1812AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Spinal cord injury (SCI) may have a devastating impact on the sexual function. We assessed the sexual life of women with SCI and its impact in their sexual satisfaction, adjustments in sexual life and overall quality of life (QOL) as well as association with depressive symptoms. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 41 women with SCI (>12 months) with a mean age of 38.8 ± 14.3 years. Median time from SCI was 4.9 [2.7-14.8] years. SCI level was cervical in 13 (31.7%) patients, thoracic in 25 (61.0%) and lumbar in 3 (7.3%). The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale was A in 22 (53.7%) patients, B in 5 (12.2%), C in 8 (19.5%) and D in 5 (12.2%). A structured questionnaire was applied to all subjects including the validated questionnaire Female sexual quotient (FSQ - 100 point scale with higher scores indicating better sexual function and satisfaction), the Life Satisfaction questionnaire (LiSat - general QOL), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 - depression scale with scores < 9 indicating minimal symptoms), the functiona l Independence Measure (FIM - an 18 items scale varying from 18 to 126 with higher scores indicating more independence) score and a detailed sexual anamnesis regarding orgasmic function, frequency and modalities of sexual activities and overall satisfaction with sexual life. Urinary continence and type of urinary management were also evaluated. RESULTS The mean satisfaction with sexual life varied from 7.8 ± 2.8 to 3.2 ± 3.7 (0 = dissatisfied and 10= satisfied; p< 0.001) before and after SCI, respectively. Before SCI, 25 (65.9%) patients had a frequency of >4 monthly sexual intercourses, 8 (19.6%) had 1 to 4/month, and 6 (14.6%) were not sexually active. After SCI, 31 (75.7%) patients were sexually inactive, 3 (7.3%) had occasional intercourses (<1/month), 3 (7.3%) had 1 to 4/month and 4 (9.7%) had > 4/month. Before SCI 30 (73.2%) women had orgasm during sexual intercourse as opposed to 6 (14.6%) after SCI (p<0.001). The median FSQ score after SCI was 20 [10-70]. The mean LiSat score was 33.2 ± 11.5. The median PHQ-9 score after SCI was 3 [0-6]. The median FIM score was 100 [89-111]. Sexual satis faction was directly associated with general QOL (r= 0.455, p= 0.002) and functional independence (r= 0.341, p= 0.029) but not with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Sexual function is tremendously affected by SCI in most women, who present a significant decrease in overall satisfaction with sexual life as well as a markedly reduced frequency of sexual activity and orgastic function. Sexual satisfaction was directly associated with general QOL and functional independence. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e562 Peer Review Report Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Jose Castro Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Cristiano Gomes Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Jose Bessa Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Homero Bruschini Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Carmita Abdo Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Luiz Abreu Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Julio Araujo Filho Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Daniel Souza Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Marcia Scazufca Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Linamara Battistella Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Tarcisio Barros Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Miguel Srougi Sao Paulo, Brazil More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...