No abstract

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.

Introduction Fibromyalgia may have negative effects on sexual function in women. Aims To evaluate the sexuality of women with fibromyalgia and healthy control subjects, and to investigate the relation between sexuality and clinical parameters of fibromyalgia. Main Outcome Measures Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Tender Points Count (TPC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Methods Clinical evaluation and surveys were done with 126 women with fibromyalgia and 132 healthy women. Results Patients with fibromyalgia had higher BDI scores and lower frequency of sexual intercourse than control subjects. The mean FSFI scores (total and all domains) were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia than control subjects. Mean FSFI scores (total and most domains) were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia who had BDI score ≥ 17 than those who had BDI score < 17. In women with fibromyalgia, a significant negative correlation was noted between total FSFI score, and both FIQ and BDI scores. Conclusions Fibromyalgia has negative effects on female sexual function that are aggravated by depression.

The rehabilitation team should be aware of the fact that the perceived care burden may be greater due to the lack of knowledge concerning available resources and due to the inability to cope with stress effectively.

The aims of this study were to evaluate pain, depression level, fatigue, sleep, and quality of life (QoL) among patients with benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) and to compare their results with those of healthy controls. The study involved 115 patients and 114 healthy volunteers. Pain level was rated using visual analogue scale (VAS) for all patients. Depression level, fatigue, sleep quality, and QoL of all the participants were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. VAS value was 6.29 ± 0.94 in the patient group. Comparison of two groups showed that there were statistically significant differences between the patient group and the control group with respect to BDI, total CIS, PSQI scores, SF-36 subscales (physical function, role physical, bodily pain, general health, role emotional, and mental health), and mental component summary (p < 0.001). While pain is the predominant symptom among BJHS patients, depression, fatigue, impaired sleep, and QoL also commonly occur. Thus, all of these components should be taken into account when assessing patients with BJHS.