Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of sexual dysfunction modified scale in multiple sclerosis for Brazilian population

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). These patients suffer from various comorbidities, including sexual dysfunction (SD). The lesions of MS may affect regions of the CNS along the pathway of sexual response. The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) is a scale that assesses sexual dysfunction. Adapt and validate the MSISQ-19 to Brazilian patients with MS. 204 individuals were evaluated, 134 patients with MS and 70 healthy persons for the control group. It was determined reproducibility, validity, internal consistency and sensitivity of the MSISQ-19-BR. Among patients with MS, 54.3% of male and 71.7% of female presented some kind of SD. In the control group the results were 12.5% and 19.5%, respectively. The MSISQ-19-BR is reproducible, reliable and valid for the Brazilian population and may be used as a tool for assessing the impact of sexual dysfunction in patients with MS.

Systematic review of the prevalence, symptomatology and management options of sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis

“…Case‐control studies demonstrated that SD was more commonly reported in MS compared to healthy controls . There were 14 case‐control studies exploring SD in PwMS.…”

“…Results of case-control studies (n = 14): The prevalence of SD in women with MS was reported to be 34.9% to 95% (n = 8 studies). In these studies, SD rates were reported to be higher in PwMS compared to healthy control [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] and the difference was found to be statistically significant in eight studies [45][46][47][48][49][50][51]53 (Table S1). No significant differences in prevalence were seen compared with other chronic neurological disorders (migraine).…”

The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ‐15): Validation of the Dutch version in patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury

“…It is a valid and reliable short version of the MSISQ-19 and consists of 15 items. The MSISQ-15 is divided in three dimensions to allow focus on the specific domain of sexual concerns; primary SD (items 8, 12, 13, 14, 15), secondary SD (items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), and tertiary SD (items 6,7,9,10,11). Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (never) to 5 (always).…”

“…Tertiary SD refers to the psychological, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of MS that impact sexual function . The original version of the MSISQ was in English and consisted of 19 items and has been translated and validated in the Persian and Portuguese languages . A re‐evaluation in a larger English cohort resulted in a validated 15 item version …”

“…4,5 The original version of the MSISQ was in English and consisted of 19 items and has been translated and validated in the Persian 6 and Portuguese languages. 7 A re-evaluation in a larger English cohort resulted in a validated 15 item version. 5 At this moment, no validated Dutch PRO measure is available to assess SD in patients with a neurological disease.…”