Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41239325›Full record

ArticleBMC neurology2025

Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: prevalence, risk factors, and impact on quality of life in a large cohort study.

Ozlem Totuk, Merve Türkkol, Feyzullah Yadi, Hasan Can Güdek, Güldeniz Çetin Erci, İpek Güngör Doğan, Damla Çetinkaya Tezer, Sevki Sahin, Serkan Demir

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ozlem TotukHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye. totukozlem@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7274-025X
Merve TürkkolHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-9290-6537
Feyzullah YadiHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-0427-6534
Hasan Can GüdekHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1196-4177
Güldeniz Çetin ErciHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9042-7697
İpek Güngör DoğanHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8667-9119
Damla Çetinkaya TezerHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8511-2260
Sevki SahinHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2016-9965
Serkan DemirHamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank SUAM, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4395-5141

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSexual dysfunction (SD) is a prevalent but underreported symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), significantly affecting quality of life (QoL). Despite its clinical relevance, SD is often overlooked during routine care. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SD, identify associated risk factors, assess its impact on depression and QoL, and explore help-seeking behaviors among pwMS.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 504 pwMS followed at a tertiary MS clinic between November 2023 and May 2024. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, and medications were collected. The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) was used to assess SD, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression, and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) for QoL. EDSS scores were used to evaluate disability. Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, correlation analyses, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance set at p < 0.05.

resultsSD was identified in 69.0% of patients (73.9% of women, 57.6% of men). SD was significantly associated with female gender (p = 0.001), older age (p = 0.006), higher EDSS scores (p = 0.046), and increased depression levels (r = 0.38). SF-12 scores were significantly lower among those with SD (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, female gender (aOR = 2.01, p = 0.002) and higher BDI scores (aOR = 1.09, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with SD, while age and EDSS did not. No significant associations were found between SD and MS type, disease duration, or type of disease-modifying therapy. Only 9.8% of patients with SD sought medical help, while 83.1% did not seek support.

conclusionSD is highly prevalent among pwMS and is closely linked to age, disability, depression, and reduced QoL. Depression emerged as a strong independent predictor. Despite this burden, most patients do not seek help. Multidisciplinary approaches and routine screening are essential to address SD in clinical settings.

Indexed as

Multiple SclerosisQuality of LifeSexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalAdultCohort StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsArizona sexual experience scaleDepressionExpanded disability status scaleHelp-seeking behaviorMultiple sclerosisQuality of lifeSexual dysfunction

Identifiers

PMID41239325
PMCPMC12619523

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.