Analysis of the Structural Characteristics and Psychometric Properties of the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and...

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) is a questionnaire designed to assess Sexual Dysfunction symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients; its first version was created in English and has been validated in 7 other languages. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to analyze the structural characteristics and psychometric properties of the different versions of the MSISQ-15. Methods: An analysis of the different versions of this questionnaire was carried out. The quality of the evidence was rated according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A systematic review was carried out in different databases, such as PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Dialnet, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL. The following selection criteria were considered: studies that included cross-cultural validation of the MSISQ-15, studies with a sample of the population with multiple sclerosis and suffering from sexual dysfunction, studies that presented psychometric properties with total and/or domain scores of the MSISQ-15, and studies with a sample of the population over 18 years of age. Studies that used the MSISQ-15 as an outcome measure or to validate another instrument, and studies with inconclusive results, were excluded. Results: A total of seven studies were analyzed with regard to structural characteristics and psychometric properties, such as reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity. Conclusions: The different versions of the MSISQ-15 are valid for use in the Polish, German, Italian, French, Turkish, Greek, and Spanish populations, and it will be necessary to adapt the questionnaire to other languages for use with patients with multiple sclerosis in other countries.