Tudor, KI;
Eames, S;
Haslam, C;
Chataway, J;
Liechti, MD;
Panicker, JN;
(2018)
Identifying barriers to help-seeking for sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.
Journal of Neurology
10.1007/s00415-018-9064-8.
(In press).
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), however, under-reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify barriers faced by patients with MS and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in discussing SD. METHODS: This was a two-part prospective study carried out at a tertiary care centre. Patients with MS were surveyed using a 29-item questionnaire and SD was assessed using the MSISQ and ASEX questionnaires; depression screened with PHQ-2. HCPs were surveyed using a 23-item questionnaire. RESULTS: Seventy four patients (mean age 42.4 ± 10.7, 54 females) and 98 HCPs (mean age 45.8 ± 8.9, 90 females) participated. SD was significant, with primary (36.4%), secondary (27%) and tertiary (29.8%) contributory factors. Commonest barriers reported by patients were dominance of neurological symptoms (N = 30, 40.5%), presence of family or friends (N = 28, 37.8%), and not being asked (N = 25, 33.8%), while HCPs reported presence of family or friends (N = 34, 34.7%), lack of knowledge about SD (N = 30, 30.6%), and inadequate time during the consultation (N = 27, 27.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to discussing SD are similar between patients and HCPs. The most common barriers are addressable through modifications in the clinic environment, raising awareness and providing training opportunities.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Identifying barriers to help-seeking for sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis |
| Location: | Germany |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00415-018-9064-8 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-9064-8 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Barriers, Healthcare professionals, Help-seeking, Multiple sclerosis, Questionnaires, Sexual dysfunction |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10058340 |
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