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Effects of Multiple Sclerosis on Female Sexuality: A Controlled Study

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on female sexuality. METHODS Present study included 142 females (70 MS patients, 72 healthy controls). MS patients were evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for functional status, by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for severity of depression, by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for severity of pain, and by Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) for sexual function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES FSFI, BDI, EDSS, and VAS were the main outcome measures. RESULTS The number of weekly sexual intercourse, total FSFI, and FSFI subscale scores were lower in MS women compared with controls. FSFI total and FSFI subscale scores were statistically significantly lower in MS women with BDI score ≥ 17 compared with those with BDI score <17. A negative correlation was found between total FSFI score and BDI, EDSS, VAS, age, and duration of complaint, but a positive correlation was found with education level in MS women. CONCLUSIONS Sexual functions are negatively affected in MS women. Sexual functions in MS women seem to be associated with enhanced disability, pain, duration of the disease, and degree of concomitant depression. Therefore, women with MS should also be evaluated in terms of sexual function during routine follow-ups.

Sexual Life of Poststroke Women With Mild or No Disability: A Qualitative Study

The authors investigated the perspectives and experiences of poststroke women regarding sexual issues, as well as interactions in social life. A qualitative design was adopted for the study. Individual and audio-taped interviews were carried out with 16 poststroke women (18 years of age and older) that were included into the study from the Konya Education and Research Hospital, Turkey. Transcribed semi-structured interviews were qualitatively and thematically analyzed using content data analysis to code and categorize emerging themes. The authors identified 4 principal themes: physical, emotional, and spiritual changes experienced after stroke; negative effects of changes on the roles of poststroke women as housewives and mothers; changes of sexual life experienced by women in poststroke period; and support from healthcare providers in coping with emotional and sexual challenges. Findings suggest that physical, social, and emotional challenges commonly influence sexual lives of poststroke women and that such women are in need of counseling and assistance.

Gabapentin Treatment for Neuropathic Pain in a Child with Sciatic Nerve Injury.

There are a restricted number of studies about usage of gabapentin for neuropathic pain treatment of pediatric patients. We shared a 12-year-old male case with severe neuropathic pain that hindered the rehabilitation programme for the loss of muscle power and movement limitation. Neuropathic pain developed after peripheral sciatic damage due to firearm traumatisation did not respond to other medical treatments but healed nearly completely after gabapentin usage.

Sexual Life of Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Objectives: To define the thoughts, emotions, experiences and perceptions of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to determine sexual, physical, and emotional effects of MS on patients. Methods: Twenty-one women were included into this qualitatively designed study. Results: Three baseline themes were defined as “uncertainty” arising from complaints due to numbness in extremities and loss of sense, balance or vision, “alterations in sexual life,” and “inability” as a result of deformities in marital status and gender role. Conclusion: Healthcare providers should evaluate MS patients meticulously as to sexual life and refer such patients to appropriate health centers.

The Assessment of Sexual Dysfunction in Male Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction To investigate the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on male sexuality. Methods While 61 men with MS were included into the study group, 60 healthy men constituted the control group in the study. In MS patients, such parameters as functional status and depression levels were assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scala (EDSS) and the Beck Depression Scale (BDS), other parameters such as pain levels, sexual function and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scala (VAS), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the short form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Results Patients with MS were classified as 45 with EDSS <5.5 and 19 with EDSS >5.5. Mean VAS and BDI scores patients with MS were found statistically significantly higher, compared with those of the controls (p<0.05). Mean IIEF and all sub-group scores of SF-36 of patients with MS were found to be statistically significantly lower, compared with those of the control group (p<0.05). Mean EDSS in patients with MS was 2.75±2.42. While there was a positive correlation between IIEF scores of patients with MS, and mean mental and physical components of SF-36, a negative correlation was found between IIEF scores in MS patients, and age, disease duration, number of attacks, number of marital years and scores of EDSS, VAS and BDI (p<0.00). When BDI ≥17 was accepted as the threshold for depression, the depression was detected in 62.5% of patients with MS and 11.7% of the controls (p<0.001). Conclusion Sexual functions are affected negatively in male patients with MS and seem to be associated with increased disability, pain and accompanying depression. Therefore, male patients with MS should also be evaluated with regard to sexual function, as well as disability during their follow-ups.

Coexistence of Neurofibromatosis Type-1 and MTHFR C677T Gene Mutation in a Young Stroke Patient: A Case Report

In neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1), cerebrovascular disorders are rarely encountered although vasculopathy is a well-known complication. Several mutations seen in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) give rise to the formation of hyperhomocysteinemia and homocystinuria, a considerable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, by leading to enzymatic inactivation. In the paper, a 31-year-old young stroke female patient with the coexistence of neurofibromatosis and MTHFR C677T gene mutation was presented.