Sexualité du patient neurologique

[Sexual dysfunctions after traumatic brain injury: Systematic review of the literature]

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in the general population, up to 50% in women and with no clearly defined prevalence in men but up to 30% in erectile dysfunction. Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are common after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) but remain underrated in clinical practice, yet it is a crucial aspect of the person with consequences for the relationship with the other, psychological wellbeing and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To determine, through a systematic literature review, the epidemiology, assessment tools and treatment of SD in the TBI population.

SOURCES

(keywords, languages): Medline, COCHRANE and OVID databases were used with specific keywords (MeSH), combined with Boolean operators: "sexual dysfunction", "sexuality", "erectile dysfunction" and "traumatic brain injury".

STUDY SELECTION

Only studies published in French or English, and with full-text available, have been included. Articles have been independently reviewed and extracted.

RESULTS

Of the 199 articles reviewed after exclusion of duplicates, 86 articles were reviewed in their full text. A total of 40 studies were included in the final analysis. After TBI, 6% to 83% of patients report SD: decreased frequency of sexual intercourse (47-62%), desire and/or arousal (24-86%), erectile dysfunction (24,2-57%), difficulties with orgasm (29-40%), inappropriate sexual behaviour (8,9%). There is no consensus method for evaluating SD in this population, with 16 tools identified. Among them, only two questionnaires were validated in this population, the Brain Injury Questionnary of Sexuality - not validated in French - and the Overt Behavior Scale, the latter being intended for the evaluation of sexual behaviour disorders. Several factors are significantly and positively associated with SD: age (P≤0.01), severity of TBI (P≤0.002), depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001), and fatigue (P=0.042). Others are negatively associated: time since injury (P=0.01), perceived physical health status (P<0.001) and social participation (P<0.001). There is little data on the treatment of SD outside of case studies.

LIMITS

Quantitative analysis could not be performed due to differences in the studies included in their design, evaluation tools, choice of TBI severity criteria, and post-TBI timeframes. Four unavailable articles could not be consulted.

CONCLUSION

SD are common after TBI but remain poorly evaluated in clinical practice, despite their impact on patients and their partners. Their evaluation and treatment should be part of the overall management of patients after TBI. Nevertheless, there is currently no validated tool in French to evaluate these SD, nor are there any guidelines on their treatment.

[Sexuality of patients with neurological disability: Perception of healthcare professionals of a neurologic rehabilitation hospital unit]

Sexual disorders are common after neurological diseases. The reconstruction of sexuality is a major issue after neurologic disability. Why is this topic not covered in rehabilitation medicine except specialized service? The aim of this pilot study was to assess the perception of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) and to understand why this topic was not addressed. We conducted a pilot, observational, monocentric study from February to March 2016 in HCPs from a neurologic rehabilitation hospital unit.

RESULTS

The sexuality was essential for 14/28 (50%) HCPs in general and for 7/28 (25%) in neurologic disability. The hospital inhibits sexuality rebuilding in 21/28 (75%). The question of exercise of sexuality in hospital was considered as legitimate question for 13/28 (46%). Twenty-third (82%) have talked about sexuality with patients or colleagues, 5/19 (27%) thought that their response was satisfactory when patient asked about it. The question of sexuality had been managed for 10/28 (36%) during their training; 22/28 (79%) considered it was a prime importance for their job.

CONCLUSION

In this monocentric study, sexuality was often poorly managed in rehab center. The professionals did not dare talking about it with patients and answered with difficulties when they are asked about sexual disorders. They were not trained for this topic. A specialized medical education in hospital and during studies would be of great value to improve neurologic rehabilitation of these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.