Sociodemographic factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Mexican women with spinal cord injury

No studies have reported sexual dysfunction in Mexican women with a spinal cord injury (SCI).The objective of the present study was to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and sexual dysfunction characteristics in Mexican females with SCI.

An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in different rehabilitation centers in Mexico City from July 2013 to November 2014. Adult females with a SCI without any gynecologic structural abnormalities, which by itself produced sexual dysfunction, were included. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was answered personally by all participants. Other variables such as AIS (American spinal injury association Impairment Scale), neurologic level, time since injury, age, relationship status, socioeconomic status, spasticity, use of antispasticity drugs, education level, antidepressant medication, Spinal Cord Independence Measure III score, offspring, work activities and neuropathic pain were considered.

There is a high percentage of sexual dysfunction among Mexican woman with SCI (81.9%). Age range went from 18- to 78-year old (42.8±15.87-year old). Time since injury went from 2 to 708 months (65.16±117.65 months). The study showed a negative correlation between age and the FSFI questionnaire (correlation coefficient (CC)=-0.384, P<0.001).There was no significant difference between the means (analysis of variance) of the different groups for neurologic level, socioeconomic status, spasticity and education level.

Results showed that the younger the person is, the better sexual function they have, and offspring decreased sexual function and work activities increased it. Some variables showed small comparative groups (use of antidepressives/antispastics and comorbilities), which may be the reason we could not see significative differences in the means.