#CMSC16 – Sexual Dysfunction in Hispanic MS Patients Exists with Other Issues, Study Shows

Patricia Inacio, PhD avatar

by Patricia Inacio, PhD |

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Sexual dysfunction correlates with depression and bladder dysfunction in Hispanic patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the results of a recent study presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC).

The study, ā€œSexual Dysfunction and Its Correlation to Depression and Bladder Dysfunction in Hispanics with Multiple Sclerosis,ā€ was presented at the session Psychosocial: Cognition, Depression.

MSĀ patients oftenĀ experience sexual dysfunction, but the complication goes largelyĀ underdiagnosed and undertreated for theĀ majority of them. A previous study estimated that 73.1% of patients with MS experience sexual dysfunction. The number is significantly lower in healthy individuals – 15.4% in males and 11.2% in females.

AĀ group of researchers supported by the pharmaceutical company NovartisĀ has determined the percentage of Hispanic MS patients who experience sexual dysfunction among a clinical cohort. ResearchersĀ determined sexual dysfunction categories in the cohort, and if there is an association between disease-modifying therapies and bladder dysfunction or depression which are reported to aggravate sexual dysfunction in MS patients.

TheĀ team performed a retrospective analysis of 477 questionnaires submitted by patients to the Puerto Rico Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (from 2002 to 2008).

The questionnaires included information aboutĀ patientsā€™ potential sexual dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, depression and use of disease-modifying therapies. Questionnaire analysis also included reported symptoms and relationships; and patientsā€™ ages and genders.

From the 477 questionnaires, 80% (382) came from women and 20% (95) came fromĀ men. In total, 23% of the questionnaires (111) reported sexual dysfunction, with 71% (79 questionnaires) from women, while only 29% (32) belonged to men.

Depression was reported in 53.4% (255) of totalĀ questionnaires, and bladder dysfunction was accounted in 45% (215). AmongĀ patients with sexual dysfunction,Ā 56.8% (63) also reportedĀ bladder dysfunction.

The presence of three morbidities – sexual, bladder dysfunction, and depression – was accounted in 42.3% (47) patients. Only 19.8% (22) of patients who reported sexual dysfunction did not report other comorbidity.

MS duration was longer in patients with reported sexual dysfunction, when compared to those without it – 7.8 years versus 5.8 years, respectively.

Adjusting the findings for patients sex only, researchers observed that patients with bladder dysfunction and depression were 3.4 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction. This was not observed when researchers adjusted for age and MS duration.

In conclusion, the results suggest that sexual dysfunction is a complication that significantly impacts the Hispanic MS patientsā€™ quality of life. TheĀ study supports the evaluation of sexual dysfunction in MS patients withĀ depression or bladder dysfunction, or both.