Assessment of sexual function and quality of life of patients with spinal cord injury

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injuries are known to have physical damage. They are often accompanied by urinary and fecal incontinence, disorders of tenderness, neuropathic pain and motor deficits. Therefore they have a serious impact on physical, mental and social health. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our work was to assess sexual function and quality of life in men with spinal cord injuries. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study enrolling patients with spinal cord injuries followed at the physical medicine consultation and/or urology department of Sahloul teaching Hospital during the period from January 2016 to January 2018. RESULTS: This study enrolled 21 patients. Mean age was 45.62 ±15.79 years. Thirteen patients were married, and nine had a primary school level of education. Thirteen patients worked as building workers. The cause of the spinal cord injury was traffic accident in 12 cases. The overall IIEF 15 was 15.57±7.46. Thirteen patients had erectile dysfunction which was rated severe in five patients. The average MSQ was 27.52 ± 26.32 with 10 patients very dissatisfied. The overall SF-36 score was 31.71± 26.16. We found a statistical correlation between quality of life impairment and sexuality impairment in almost all dimensions and especially impairment of physical activity (r²=+0.783 p<0.001) and impairment of perceived health. CONCLUSIONS: The impairment of sexual function is a serious health problem in patients with spinal cord injury. It has a serious impact in the quality of life that justify specific interventions. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST: None Declared