Évaluation du traitement des dysfonctions érectiles et éjaculatoires dans une série de 90 blessés médullaires

[Sexual disorders among spinal cord injury patients]

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can alter to varying degrees patients' sexuality. The goals of this study were to evaluate sexual dysfunctions (SD) among a sample of Tunisian patients with SCI and to determine the associated factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 30 patients with SCI. Sexuality was evaluated by : Male Sexual Quotient (MSQ) and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM). Other parameters were collected : sociodemographic, clinical, functional capacity, psychological profile and quality of life (QoL) (Short-Form 36 SF36).

RESULTS

The mean age was 41±9.6 years (23-56). The frequency of SD in this study was 69.2 %. The most affected items in the MSQ (76 %) were erection, orgasm, seduction and performance. The SD were associated with alteration of SF36 domains. We noted positive correlations on the one hand between the MSQ score and the role physical (RP) and general health (GH) sub scores of SF36 and on the other hand between the SHIM and the sub scores RP, mental and physical component score (MCS and PCS). The MSQ score was negatively correlated with the HAD score. No other associations were noted.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a high frequency of SD in SCI patients including Tunisians. SD were mainly associated with impaired QOL and the anxio-depressive profile. The absence of other associations could be explained mainly by the peculiarity of our culture which still considers sexuality and SD as a taboo and secondary subject.

Ejaculation and sperm characteristics in men with cauda equina and conus medullaris syndromes

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to describe the type of ejaculation in patients with cauda equina (CE) and conus medullaris (CM) lesions, and to analyse sperm quality.

SETTING

France.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-six patients with CE and CM lesions were included. Diagnosis was based on clinical (no motor responses, sensation or sacral reflexes) and urodynamic assessments (no detrusor activity). Vibromassage (VM) was used to induce ejaculation according to the recommendations for patients with spinal cord injury. If ejaculation did not occur, oral midodrine was administered in progressive doses. Retrograde ejaculation was systematically sought. Sperm parameters were analysed according to World Health Organisation recommendations (2010).

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients were included. Eleven ejaculated on the first VM trial (four anterograde (AE), six retrograde (RE) and one antero-retrograde (ARE)). Five patients continued trials of VM alone, two of whom ejaculated following a mean 1.9 trials (one RE, one ARE). Twenty-six patients underwent trials of VM+ midodrine, 18 of whom ejaculated following a mean 4.4 trials with a mean dose of 22.5 g of midodrine (2 AE, 13 RE and 5 ARE). Fifty-three ejaculates from 26 patients were analysed. Sperm concentration was low in 90.6% of samples; total necrospermia was found in 65% and asthenospermia in 95% of samples.

CONCLUSION

Ejaculation is difficult to induce using VM in patients with CE and CM lesions, and requires high doses of midodrine. Sperm counts were generally low, and asthenospermia and necrospermia were found in the majority of specimens. Cryopreservation of sperm should be systematic in case of medically assisted procreation.