How does multiple sclerosis affect sexual satisfaction in patients' spouses?

Background Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common complaint among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of afflicted couples. The purpose of this study was to determine sexual satisfaction (SS) in the spouses of MS patients and its impact on the QoL. Methods A total of 214 spouses of MS patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. They completed the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire and SF-8 Health Survey. Results The mean ± SD age of the spouses was 39.8 ± 9.7 years, and the duration of MS was 5 years or less in most of their partners. The mean ± SD score of QoL was 71.0 ± 20.3 (out of 100), and the mean SS score was 89.2 ± 18.6 (out of 125), showing moderate satisfaction. The highest score was among male spouses younger than 40 years old. The SS scores were also lower among female spouses. In the final model, it was found that SD, psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment, and the level of disability of patients were independent explanatory factors for the SS of their spouses. Conclusion The findings supported the role of SS in the QoL of spouses of MS patients. Therefore, the attention of physicians to this hidden aspect of the life of MS patients is crucial.

[1]  R. Mhaske,et al.  Marital and Sexual Satisfaction, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Wives of Patients with Chronic Illnesses , 2022, Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences.

[2]  A. Azadi,et al.  The effect of sexual health education program on sexual function and attitude in women at reproductive age in Iran , 2021, Journal of education and health promotion.

[3]  E. Kristensen,et al.  Sexual dysfunction and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy , 2020, BMC Neurology.

[4]  M. Raei,et al.  Sexual Satisfaction and Related Factors among Iranian Married Women, 2017 , 2020 .

[5]  G. Rydzewska,et al.  Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease , 2019, Przeglad gastroenterologiczny.

[6]  Christopher F. Martin,et al.  Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Can Adversely Impact Domains of Sexual Function Such as Satisfaction with Sex Life , 2018, Digestive Diseases and Sciences.

[7]  H. Alavi Majd,et al.  Evaluation of Factors Associated with Sexual Function in Infertile Women , 2018, International journal of fertility & sterility.

[8]  David H. Miller,et al.  Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: 2017 revisions of the McDonald criteria , 2017, The Lancet Neurology.

[9]  S. Eskandarieh,et al.  Prevalence and Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Tehran, Iran , 2017, Iranian journal of public health.

[10]  S. Ayache,et al.  Fatigue in multiple sclerosis – Insights into evaluation and management , 2017, Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology.

[11]  A. Tavoli,et al.  Sexual Therapy for Women with Multiple Sclerosis and Its Impact on Quality of Life , 2017, Iranian journal of psychiatry.

[12]  J. Donovan,et al.  Multiple sclerosis and sexual dysfunction: A need for further education and interdisciplinary care. , 2017, NeuroRehabilitation.

[13]  A. D. De Livera,et al.  Sexual function in multiple sclerosis and associations with demographic, disease and lifestyle characteristics: an international cross-sectional study , 2016, BMC Neurology.

[14]  A. Haghdoost,et al.  Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of Larson sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire in Couples , 2016 .

[15]  Pekmezović Tatjana,et al.  Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: A 6-year follow-up study , 2015, Journal of the Neurological Sciences.

[16]  J. Groothoff,et al.  Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients with bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction , 2014, Disability and rehabilitation.

[17]  E. Merghati Khoei,et al.  Sexual Problems and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Sclerosis , 2014 .

[18]  M. Sahraian,et al.  Determinants of sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis , 2013, BMC Neurology.

[19]  Jenifer J. Thomas,et al.  Effectiveness of a relationship enrichment program for couples living with multiple sclerosis. , 2013, International journal of MS care.

[20]  R. Marrie,et al.  The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire — re-validation and development of a 15-item version with a large US sample , 2013, Multiple sclerosis.

[21]  M. Cameron.  Primer on Multiple Sclerosis , 2012 .

[22]  Hosseini Fatemeh,et al.  THE RELATION OF SEXUAL SATISFACTION AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS , 2010 .

[23]  R. Memarian,et al.  Effectiveness of applying progressive muscle relaxation technique on quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. , 2009, Journal of clinical nursing.

[24]  F. Lublin,et al.  Multiple Sclerosis and Other Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System , 2008 .

[25]  J. Ware.  Improvements in short-form measures of health status: introduction to a series. , 2008, Journal of clinical epidemiology.

[26]  T. Riise,et al.  Prevalence of bladder, bowel and sexual problems among multiple sclerosis patients two to five years after diagnosis , 2007, Multiple sclerosis.

[27]  R. Bonelli,et al.  Sexuality in multiple sclerosis , 2005, Journal of Neural Transmission.

[28]  N. Larocca,et al.  Rehabilitation of intimacy and sexual dysfunction in couples with multiple sclerosis , 2001, Multiple sclerosis.

[29]  T. Holman,et al.  A longitudinal study of the effects of premarital communication, relationship stability, and self-esteem on sexual satisfaction in the first year of marriage. , 1998, Journal of sex & marital therapy.

[30]  S. Greenland,et al.  Simulation study of confounder-selection strategies. , 1993, American journal of epidemiology.

[31]  J. Kurtzke.  Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis , 1983, Neurology.

[32]  W. L. Benedict,et al.  Multiple Sclerosis , 2007, Journal - Michigan State Medical Society.