Perceived cognitive impairment is associated with sexual dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis: a 2.5-year follow-up study of a large international cohort

Background: The potential relationship between perceived cognitive impairment (PCI) and sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been studied.

Objectives: To explore the relationship between cognitive impairment and sexual dysfunction over 2.5 years in people with MS.

Methods: Data were derived from the Health Outcomes and Lifestyle In a Sample of people with Multiple sclerosis (HOLISM) international cohort over 2.5 years' follow-up. Cognitive function and sexual function were assessed by sub-scores of the MS Quality of Life-54. The impact of perceived cognitive impairment on sexual dysfunction was assessed by calculating prevalence ratios (PR) and relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using log-binomial regression models.

Results: 1958 participants were included at baseline, of whom 555 without perceived cognitive impairment at baseline comprised the longitudinal cohort. The prevalence of perceived cognitive impairment at baseline was 45.6%. At baseline, cognitive impairment was associated with increased frequency of self-reported sexual dysfunction (aPR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.17-1.48). Among the sample without sexual dysfunction at baseline, incident sexual dysfunction was more common among participants with persistent (aRR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.06-3.18) and newly reported cognitive impairment (aRR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.14-3.14).

Conclusion: Results suggest PCI may be an independent risk factor for sexual dysfunction in PwMS, which may represent an additional dimension whereby MS may adversely affect quality of life.