Abstract
Sexual dysfunction (SD) has been reported in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, SD is commonly underdiagnosed in clinical practice. We aimed to assess SD frequency (primary, secondary and tertiary) in pwMS in both genders and to investigate possible associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study (pwMS = 202 and healthy volunteers (HV) = 200, matched for sex and age) based on self-administered questionnaires such as Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-19), The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and self-reported disability was performed in pwMS and controls. In addition, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5-ED) were obtained in women and men, respectively. Factors associated with SD were analyzed in a multivariate model. The frequency of primary, secondary and tertiary SD in pwMS was 81%, 87.3% and 75.2%, respectively. Both erectile dysfunction (ED) and female SD were significantly higher in pwMS than in HV (89% vs. 26% and 54% vs. 21%, respectively). Only 45 (22.2%) pwMS had addressed sexual problems with their neurologist and 33 (16.3%) pwMS received counselling about their sexual problems. Higher MSISQ-19 total scores were significantly correlated with fatigue, anxiety, depression, self-reported disability and lower FSFI and IIEF5-ED scores. Furthermore, female SD was independently associated with primary SD, but no associated factors were found in male pwMS (multivariate analysis). In conclusion, SD is extremely common in pwMS from Argentina. The previously mentioned physical and neuropsychological factors have a negative impact on sexual function.
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