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Investigation of sexual dysfunction and depression prevalence in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and depression in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system.

Methods

A total of 110 NMO patients and 112 healthy individuals were included as a control group, and their SD was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for women and men, respectively. The FSFI categorizes female sexual dysfunction into six subscores, including libido, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain, while the IIEF categorizes male sexual dysfunction into five subscores, including sexual desire, erection, orgasm, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.

Results

SD was prevalent among NMO patients, with 78% of female patients and 63.2% of male patients reporting SD in at least one subscore. The severity of the disease, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), was found to be significantly correlated with SD in all subscores, while the duration of the disease was only correlated with the overall satisfaction subscore in men and the pain subscore in women. Furthermore, SD was found to be significantly correlated with depression in these patients.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of addressing SD and depression in NMO patients, as they adversely affect the quality of life. The findings suggest that the physical aspects of SD are mostly affected by the severity of the disease, while psychological aspects are highly correlated with the chronicity of the disease.

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Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Hesan Jelodari Mamaghani, Zohreh Erfani, Farbod Torkamand, Seyed Mohammad Vahabi, Narges Erfani, Fahimeh Vahabizad & Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi

  2. Department of Neurology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Fahimeh Vahabizad & Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi

Authors
  1. Hesan Jelodari Mamaghani
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  2. Zohreh Erfani
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  3. Farbod Torkamand
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  4. Seyed Mohammad Vahabi
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  5. Narges Erfani
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  6. Fahimeh Vahabizad
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  7. Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Fahimeh Vahabizad or Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi.

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Ethics approval and informed consent

This study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Approval number: IR.TUMS.SINAHOSPITAL.REC.1399.002. Written informed consent was obtained from participants for publication of the details of their medical case.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Mamaghani, H.J., Erfani, Z., Torkamand, F. et al. Investigation of sexual dysfunction and depression prevalence in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Sci 44, 4013–4019 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-023-06894-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-023-06894-7

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