Age-related differences in the severity of sexual dysfunction symptoms and psychological distress in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Date

2024

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

YU Faculty Profile

Abstract

•Background: Sexual dysfunction(SD)is a common symptom for many with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, SD research in general appears to often overlook young adults within their samples, which can be a major issue for better understanding and treatment for the MS population. Few studies have compared age-related differences in distress in response to physical disability. Research has also found that many people diagnosed with MS do not discuss any SD struggles with their providers.

•Aim: To see whether age-related differences exist in the reporting of the levels of primary, secondary, and tertiary SD, as defined by subscale scores of the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19), and amount of distress, as defined by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12)’s Mental Component Summary (MCS-12). Additionally, the present study hopes to determine if there are any age-related or sex-related differences in whether participants sough professional help for their SD.

•Methods: Study participants were recruited from the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry.Participants completed the MSISQ-19, SF-12, and Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS), provided demographic information, and responded if they received any medical or psychological treatment for SD. Study participants were 5815 respondents (Mage = 51years, SD = 9.63, 75% female, 30%having attained a high school diploma, 35% scoring “advanced disability” on the PDDS). Young adult (19-39 years), middle adult (40-64 years), and mature adult (65-older) were compared on SD.

•Results: Linear mixed effects modeling revealed that the MSISQ-19 subscale scores were significantly different for females (t = -2.04, p < 0.04)and young adults (t = -2.08, p < 0.03). Young adult participants had the least amount of primary SD (M = 13.72, 95% CI [13.01, 14.44]) when compared to mature adult (M = 14.29, 95% CI [13.45, 15.13]) and middle adult participants (M = 14.42, 95% CI [14.19, 14.64]), though none were statistically significant. Mature adults had the least amount of secondary SD (M = 16.82, 95% CI [15.99, 17.66]), a statistically significant difference from the middle adult (M = 18.17, 95% CI [17.94, 18.39]) and young adult participants (M = 18.54, 95% CI [17.82, 19.26]). Mature adults had the least amount of tertiary symptoms (M = 10.35, 95% CI [9.51, 11.18]), followed by young adults (M = 12.01, 95% CI [11.28, 12.72]), and middle adults (M = 11.64, 95% CI [11.41, 11.86]), though none were statistically significant. hierarchical multiple regressions found that though age did have a significant impact, it was not as high as other variables. When SF-12 MCS-12 was added, linear mixed effects did not reveal any statistically significant results between the age groups and SD levels. Similarly, hierarchical multiple regressions found that while SF-12 MCS-12 scores had a significant impact on SD symptoms, it was still not as high as other variables. There were no significant age-related or sex-related differences in help-seeking behaviors.

•Conclusion: Our study has highlighted the importance of clinicians assessing for SD and possible psychological distress within their patients and to consider potential differences in symptom presentations of age groups to better address their unique needs.

Description

Doctoral dissertation, PhD / Open Access

Keywords

Clinical psychology, multiple sclerosis, Psychological distress, sexual dysfunction

Citation

Romano, D. R. (2024). Age-related differences in the severity of sexual dysfunction symptoms and psychological distress in individuals with multiple sclerosis (Publication No. 31562497) [Doctoral dissertation, Yeshiva University].