Sexual dysfunction in men with spinal cord injury: a case–control study

Altered sexual function after central neurological system trauma is reflective of region of injury; brain vs spinal cord

OBJECTIVE

To compare and contrast the contributory effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) on sexual function and social relationship opportunities, hypothesizing that patterns of change in sexual function would follow etiology.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, case-matched survey of community living individuals with TBI, SCI or both (termed dual diagnosis).

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive sample of participants with TBI (n = 25), SCI (n = 24) and dual diagnosis (n = 28), an average 3.6 years post-rehabilitation discharge.

METHODS

Participants were interviewed using a modified version of the 'Sexuality after Spinal Injury Questionnaire.'

RESULTS

Almost all respondents (97%) perceived adverse post-injury change in their experience of neurosexual function and/or social relationships. Physiological aspects of sexual function (e.g., erection, orgasm) were most affected by SCI whereas social relationships appeared more affected by TBI. People with dual diagnoses exhibited a combination of features. Participants with SCI (with or without TBI) were significantly more likely to have their concerns about sexual function discussed during rehabilitation than the TBI group.

CONCLUSION

TBI and SCI produce predictable impacts upon sexual function following injury, the impact of which were less frequently addressed during inpatient rehabilitation for those with TBI.

Beyond the Diagnosis: Lived Experiences of Persons with Spinal Cord Injury in a Selected Town in Ghana

Background

Although several studies have been conducted on the lived experiences of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in high income countries, there is no published data on such experiences in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of persons with SCI in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region of Ghana.

Material and Methods

A qualitative descriptive design involving thirteen participants was conducted at the Tamale Metropolis-Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants, using the Neurosurgical Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital as an outlet for recruitment of the sample. Data was gathered mainly through face-to-face in-depth interviews. The data was analyzed concurrently with data collection, using thematic content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained for the study from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the research unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Results

The three main themes that emerged from the data during analysis were “physical effects,” “psychological effects,” and “social issues.” Conclusion. The findings from the study suggest that SCI is a life threatening condition and that persons with SCI grapple with a myriad of physical symptoms that range from chronic pain and paralysis of lower and/or upper limbs, to bladder and bowel incontinence. These physical symptoms have significant psychological and social effects on the functioning of the affected persons.

Epidemiology of Sexual Dysfunction in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background:

The aim of this study was to determine the cumulative prevalence rate of every sexual dysfunctions (SDs) in Iranian population.

Methods:

We searched international database such as: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, PsychNET, and Scholar Google and Iranian database such as Iran Psych, IranDoc, IranMedex, and SID. Search duration was between 1990 and 2013.

Results:

From 449 articles were retrieved, then 11 articles on male with total sample size of 2142 and 8 articles on female with total sample size of 4391 were selected after critical appraisal. For quality assessment check list to evaluate a prevalence article was contained study population, sampling method, sample size, criteria for SD diagnosis, specific rates, study location, and authors list. In male, erectile dysfunction was 56.1%. In female, pooled estimation prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in complained group was 65.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.1-80.6%) compared to general population 35% (95% CI: 17.6-52.1%). Sexual arousal disorder in clinical patient was 59.6% (95% CI: 39-80%) against 33.8% (95% CI: 18.3-49.3%) in general population. Orgasmic disorder in complained was 35.5% (95% CI: 16-55%) and in general population was 35.3% (95% CI: 26.8-43.8%). Sexual pain disorder pooled estimation prevalence were 35.2% (95% CI: 14.5-56%) versus 20.1% (95% CI: 6.4-33.8%) in complained and general population consecutively.

Conclusions:

The rate of SD in Iran was approximately the same of worldwide except orgasmic disorder which was two times more than the worldwide average.

Evaluation of Sexual Function and Its Contributing Factors in Men With Spinal Cord Injury Using a Self-Administered Questionnaire

Sexual activity is an important aspect of life in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), rated as one of the top priorities for recovery of function. This study was conducted to establish an understanding of the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), a major component of male sexual activity, and its correlates in patients with SCI in our community. In a cross-sectional study, 37 male veterans with SCI admitted for regular follow-up at our center were recruited. Demographic and SCI-related descriptive information was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Sexual Health Inventory for Men was used to assess the presence and severity of ED. Euro Quality of Life questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were also administered. The mean age of the participants was 45.7 ± 6.5 years with injury duration of 24.7 ± 6.2 years. Mean GHQ-12 score of 3.65 ± 3.38 and mean Sexual Health Inventory for Men score of 11.57 ± 5.28 were measured. All participants had ED, and 27% were suffering from severe ED. Sleep deprivation, worse GHQ-12 score, and hypertension were significantly associated with higher risk of much severe ED ( p < .05). In conclusion, ED is a common problem in veterans with SCI and is inversely associated with their general health status.

Ejaculatory dysfunction

Ejaculatory dysfunction may occur after many different disorders ranging from traumatic spinal cord injury to diabetes mellitus. With an understanding of the many facets and nuances of the ejaculatory apparatus, both anatomic and neurologic, the well-versed clinician can proceed along a safe, efficient, and appropriate treatment algorithm to help affected men and their partners achieve parenthood.

[Nursing care in males with spinal cord injury and sexual dysfunction]

The impact of spinal cord injury and its sequels requires important efforts of adaptation. In several studies, people with spinal cord injury claim to have covered most of their needs at physical, emotional and social level, but they are not yet fully satisfied with their sexual life. Sexual function is usually impaired in men with spinal cord injuries, and is sometimes related to problems of erection, ejaculation and/or orgasm. This issue is not a priority in the first phase, but it appears over the subsequent periods when patients often ask for a solution to this problem. A case-study is presented of a 25 year old male with chronic complete spinal cord injury (ASIA A), L4-L5 level, who reported sexual dysfunction and attended an annual review in the National Hospital for Paraplegics. After performing a nursing assessment using the functional health patterns of Gordon, the team proposed a nursing care plan according to the taxonomy of NANDA (North American Nursing Association), NOC (Nursing Outcome Classification) and NIC (Nursing Intervention Classification). Nurses are the healthcare professionals who have more direct and continuous contact with these patients. Specific programs need to be designed to provide them with the sexual education, which should contain adequate emotional and sexual information. We believe that an appropriate and systematic assessment of patient's sexuality, as well as the application of the (NANDA, NOC, NIC) nurse methodology, may be very helpful in improving the outcomes of these specific interventions.