Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease. It affects mostly women. Sexuel disorders (SD) are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Doctors often over look these taboo and potentially treatable signs, while their presence significantly alters patient’s quality of life.
Calculate prevalence of sexual disorders in MS patients attending Tlemcen University Hospital, and determine their relationship with disability, depression and fatigue.
This is a descriptive study. All patients completed questionnaires including demographic data, questions about symptoms and signs of MS, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual performance, translated into French and Arabic .Expanded disability status scale(EDSS)was used to assess disability, modified fatigue impact scale(MFIS) for fatigue, and Beck scale for depression . Exclusion criteria included active relapse, EDSS score equal or higher than 6.5, and current pregnancy.
A subgroup 95 sexually active women was analyzed.SD occurred in 39 (41%) of the respondents . A negative effect on sexual performance was associated with depression intensity (p =0 .000), fatigue intensity (p < 0.001),marriage (p=0,003), lower education level (p < .05), and rural area of residence (p < .002).
SD in women with RR MS are more common than previously thought. They are still a taboo subject, and must be systematically researched. They are mostly associated with psychosocial parameters. Patients married who are more depressed, presenting less educated, and from rural, should be considered high-risk for sexual dysfunction