The multiple sclerosis intimacy and sexuality questionnaire-19: reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Persian version.

Abstract

The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) was designed to assess the perceived influence of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms on sexual activity and satisfaction. This study aimed to translate and validate the MSISQ-19 in women with MS in Iran. The translation of the original questionnaire was carried out in accordance with a standard forward-backward procedure. Then, a sample of 226 married women with MS completed the questionnaire. Reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Concurrent validity was assessed by comparison with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The factor structure of the questionnaire was extracted by performing exploratory factor analyses. All patients underwent a full neurologic examination. MSISQ-19 score was the main outcome measure. The mean age of participants was 35.77 years (SD = 8.07), with mean disease duration of 1.84 years (SD = 0.79). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.90 for total MSISQ-19 score, with values of 0.85, 0.90, and 0.78 for the subscales assessing primary, secondary, and tertiary sexual dysfunction, respectively. The principal component analysis indicated a three-factor solution, similar to that found in the original validation study, that explained 63.0% of the total variance for women with MS. Scores on the MSISQ-19 and its subscales correlated with scores on the FSFI, EDSS, and BDI-II (all P < 0.01). In general, the findings suggest that the MSISQ-19 is a reliable and valid measure of sexual function among Iranian women with MS. However, further studies are needed to establish psychometric properties for male MS patients in Iran.