Keller JJ et al. Association Between Multiple Sclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Nationwide Case-Control Study. J Sex Med. 2012 Apr 30. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02746.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Background. Multiple sclerosis
(MS) commonly affects young adults who may be sexually active, with
sexual dysfunction being a significant, but often underestimated,
symptom of MS. However, no large-scaled study has investigated the
association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and MS in an Asian
population to date.
(MS) commonly affects young adults who may be sexually active, with
sexual dysfunction being a significant, but often underestimated,
symptom of MS. However, no large-scaled study has investigated the
association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and MS in an Asian
population to date.
Objective. The objective of this study is to
estimate the association between ED and a prior diagnosis of MS using a
population-based dataset with a case-control design in Taiwan.
estimate the association between ED and a prior diagnosis of MS using a
population-based dataset with a case-control design in Taiwan.
Methods.
The data were sourced from National Health Insurance Research Database.
We identified 38,139 patients with ED as cases and randomly selected
262,848 subjects as controls. We then used conditional logistic
regression to compute the odds ratio for having previously received a
diagnosis of MS between cases and controls.
The data were sourced from National Health Insurance Research Database.
We identified 38,139 patients with ED as cases and randomly selected
262,848 subjects as controls. We then used conditional logistic
regression to compute the odds ratio for having previously received a
diagnosis of MS between cases and controls.
Results. The prevalence of
prior MS was 0.037% and 0.015% for cases and controls, respectively
(P < 0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that
cases were 2.23 times (95% confidence interval = 1.15-4.32) more likely
to have been previously diagnosed with MS than controls after adjusting
for monthly income, geographic location, hypertension, diabetes,
coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and alcohol
abuse/alcohol dependence syndromes.
prior MS was 0.037% and 0.015% for cases and controls, respectively
(P < 0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that
cases were 2.23 times (95% confidence interval = 1.15-4.32) more likely
to have been previously diagnosed with MS than controls after adjusting
for monthly income, geographic location, hypertension, diabetes,
coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and alcohol
abuse/alcohol dependence syndromes.
Conclusions. This study revealed an
association between ED and prior MS even after adjusting for potential
confounders..
association between ED and prior MS even after adjusting for potential
confounders..
The results say it all that MS may not be good for the sex life, but 2 times more likely than what as it needs to be in perspective some figure I found was about 25 cases per 1000 per year but this of course is age dependent. About 20% of 50-60 year olds may have some problems and it may occur in 18 million 40-70years in the USA. So if you have any problems talk to your neuro or nurse, because as you can see you are not alone or unusual.
Why does multiple sclerosis mainly affect young adults? Are there any ideas behind this? Young adult life is when you're supposed to be fighting fit. What's gone wrong in these young adults?
Also, one would've thought there'd be more of an effort to investigate and help sufferers of a predominantly 'young persons' disease.
Type I diabetes often affects young children,
Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, thyroid disease are other suspected autoimmune disease with adult onset and can affect young adults.
If you believe in Prof G ideas infections to virus in adolescence may be one of the risk factors that tips the balance, then there is hormones and other factors.
It would be great if there was more effort to deal with MS as it is a massive loss to society to have its youth affected in this way. It is amazing that this does not enter into the cost benefit analysis by NICE.
RE: "It would be great if there was more effort to deal with MS as [MS as] it is a massive loss to society to have its youth affected in this way. It is amazing that this does not enter into the cost benefit analysis by NICE."
Well said MouseDoc.You should get Prof G to advocate that next time he is lobbying big pharmas NICE. In fact, I going to use your quote when my PCT rejects our IFR for fampridine this summer.
I am sure Prof G does not need any prodding he has commented on the inequalities of the NICE process and the establishment of the true costs of MS to the MSer and their loved ones and carers, partners etc. rather than just costs to NHS.
Likewise Pharma would be more than happy for this to occur as it would help justify the pricing of their signicantly expensive MS drugs.
Check out todays post May 6.
For Prof Gs view
Has any research been done in female sexual dysfunction in MS? Not as visible maybe but just as distressing if my daugher is anything to go by.
There is little that has been published, but it is a common problem in women. Make sure your daughter talks about it when she next see her neuro or MS nurse.
I don't think that sexual dysfunction is something that women are willing to talk about with their neurologist, GYNS, family docs, or MS nurses… It is a taboo subject for women, and I don't know why… I have the same issue… It is easier to admit here – because I am not face-to-face with someone, than it would be for me to admit to someone via the phone or in person… I don't even think I could say something to my family doc – who I think of more like a family member because I trust her so much… It just isn't comfortable to mention… I really wouldn't say anything to my NEUROLOGIST!!! Not that I don't trust him, just that he is a GUY!!! WOW, EMBARRASSING!!! My MS nurse, yeah, I don't know her that well and I wouldn't divulge that kind of info to her either… It's too taboo and I am just weirded out by such things… Maybe that is why there isn't as much data on this issue???
I'm female and feel similar to you I wouldn't feel comfortable speaking to my neuro (male) about it, GP or MS nurse but I think I might be ok talking about it to someone at the local sexual health clinic. I guess they might not have the knowledge of MS. But thats were young people (and older) go for advice on contraception, pregancy, HIV testing, sexual health check up. I just feel those medical staff have heard it all before, so it's not so embarrasing for me to discuss. Perhaps there is scope for a new role the Neuro sexual health nurse at the sexual health clinic. Have one in every city like the neuro-psychiatrist, rare but there are a few around.
I am a 54 male and I have the opposite to that I get two or three involuntary erection per day. But I am unable to ejaculate My neurologist says that can be the MS