Investigation of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Epilepsy with Regular Follow-up in a Tertiary Neurology Clinic
Sibel Üstün Özek1
, Zeren Öztürk Altun2
1University of Health Sciences Turkey, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Clinic of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
2University of Health Sciences Turkey, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Clinic of Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords: Sexual dysfunction, sexual function, epilepsy, gender
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to assess potential sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with epilepsy who have no known psychiatric disorders or disabilities.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 patients with epilepsy and 69 healthy controls participated. The Arizona sexual experiences scale (ASEX) was used to assess five elements of sexual function in both patients and controls, and the total ASEX score was used to screen for possible SD. Association of SD with demographic and clinical factors were analyzed.
Results: In the patient group, 54% were female and 46% were male. The mean age was 39.3±10.4 years in female patients and 40.0±7.1 years in male patients. In female patients, seizures were classified as focal in 57.7% and generalized in 42.3%, while in male patients, seizures were classified as focal in 45.5% and generalized in 54.5%. The mean duration of the disease was 25.7±11.7 years. Male patients with epilepsy had statistically lower ASEX ejaculation subscale scores compared to controls (p<0.05). However, the rates of pathological SD based on the total ASEX scores did not differ statistically between the groups (p>0.05). ASEX score was not associated with the duration of the disease and the number of antiepileptic drugs used (p>0.05).
Conclusion: There was no difference in potential SD between patients with epilepsy and controls. However, compared to controls, male patients with epilepsy potential ejaculation dysfunction. Early detection of SD using ASEX can have a role in ameliorating the quality of life in patients with epilepsy.
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital dated December 18, 2018 and numbered 4867077-514.10.
Written informed consent was obtained from all patients and controls.
Externally peer-reviewed.
Surgical and Medical Practices: S.Ü.Ö., Z.Ö.A., Concept: S.Ü.Ö., Design: S.Ü.Ö., Data Collection or Processing: S.Ü.Ö., Z.Ö.A., Analysis or Interpretation: S.Ü.Ö., Literature Search: S.Ü.Ö., Z.Ö.A., Writing: S.Ü.Ö.
No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
The authors declared that this study received no financial support.