Background: Bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction are among common complications in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). These complications could affect the quality of life. The goal of this study is to assess bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction and quality of life in married women with MS.
Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven married women with MS were enrolled. They fill the valid and reliable Persian version of the Female sexual function index (FSFI), SF-36, Bladder Control Scale (BLCS), and The Bowel Control Scale (BWCS).
Results: Mean age and disease duration were 38±7.9 and 8.4±6.5 years, respectively. There was significant negative correlation between SF-36 and BWCS (r=-0.25, p=0.001) and BLCS (r=-0.36, p=0.001) and significant positive correlation between FSFI and SF-36(r=0.27, p=0.004). There was a significant negative correlation between age and total FSFI (r=-0.34, p<0.001) and also between EDSS and FSFI (r=-0.21, p=0.01). By considering 26.55 as the cut-off point of FSFI, we found that women with sexual dysfunction had a more impaired quality of life and more bowel control problems. Linear regression analysis showed that EDSS and BLCS are independent predictors of SF-36.
Conclusion: Bowel/bladder and sexual dysfunction have negative impacts on the quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis.