French validation of the sexual complaints screener (SCS) for patients with multiple sclerosis

Sexual dysfunctions are frequent in the general population and even more frequent in individuals with chronic neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS). Several studies indicate that patients would like healthcare workers to address sexual problems. Indeed, such complaints are not currently sufficiently detected and treated. In clinical practice, a screening tool is lacking to help French-speaking patients and healthcare professionals address this issue.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the French adaptation of the self-assessment Sexual Complaints Screener scale for Women (SCS-W) and Men (SCS-M).

A prospective study was conducted among patients with MS in two centers. The SCS-W was adapted into French (QPS-F: questionnaire de plaintes sexuelles - Femmes) and compared to the reference questionnaire Female Sexual Function Index-19 (FSFI-19). The SCS-M was adapted into French (QPS-H: questionnaire de plaintes sexuelles - Hommes) and compared to the reference International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15).

Included were 101 women and 35 men with MS. Median age was 40.5 (range: 20-68) years. Based on the Cronbach alpha coefficient, the internal coherence of the QPS in French was 0.89 for women (QPS-F) and 0.71 for men (QPS-H), indicating high reliability. For QPS-F, the bivariate Pearson correlation coefficient indicated good convergence for desire and satisfaction, and average convergence for orgasm, pain, and arousal excitability. For QPS-H, the convergence was good for desire, pleasure, and ejaculation.

The French versions of the SCS-W/M scales, namely QPS-F and QPS-H, are reliable and validated tools compared with the reference questionnaires, FSFI and IIEF-15, respectively. The QPS-F/H are useful tools for brief, simple, and accurate screening and assessment of sexual complaints. They provide supportive information for clinicians who are less familiar with the clinical significance of sexual complaints and hence can be helpful to achieve more adapted care. These scales are adapted, but not specific, to MS. They could be used in other pathologies and the general population.