Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction and Related Risk Factors in Men with Multiple Sclerosis in Iran: A Multicenter Study

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common complaint in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SD and its related risk factors in men with MS in Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 320 men who had been diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald revised criteria were recruited from January to June 2019, from the north, south, east, west, and central parts of Iran. Patients were assessed using the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-(MSISQ 19), Sexual Quality of Life-Men (SQOL-M), and Standard General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction, defined as total IIEF score ≤ 45 was present in 114 patients (35.6%). The results of univariate logistic regression showed that there were significant direct relations between age (OR 1.050, 95% CI 1.02–1.08), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.24–1.7), duration of MS (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.002–1.009), MSISQ-19 (OR 1.103, 95% CI 1.078–1.128), GHQ (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.06), SQOL-M (OR 0.930, 95% CI 0.914–0.947), smoking (OR 1.941, 95% CI 1.181–3.188), non-MS chronic disease (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.20–3.04), having a main sexual partner (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.32–4.94), and significant inverse relations between exercise (OR 0.584, 95% CI 0.364–0.936) and regular sexual activity (OR 0.241, 95% CI 0.15–0.40), with the prevalence of SD. The results of multiple logistic regression indicated that the age, MSISQ-19, and SQOL-M were the only independent predictive factors for SD in these patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SD in men with MS in Iran is relatively high. These patients should be screened, diagnosed, and treated for SD and influencing factors.