Role of Sexual Function in Prediction of Anxiety, Stress and Depression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most serious causes of neurodevelopmental disorder in young adults, which can reduce libido, self-esteem and emotional reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of sexual function in predicting anxiety, stress, and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis. Method: The present study was a cross-sectional study. The data of the present study were collected during April to July 2018. For this purpose, 132 patients were selected through purposive sampling method among women with Multiple Sclerosis under the coverage of MS Society of Iran. Demographic checklist, structured clinical interview, self-esteem scale, female sexual function index, and depression, anxiety and stress scale were used to collect data. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, linear regression analysis and step-by-step analysis in SPSS software environment. Results: Data analysis showed that sexual function among patients was a predictor of anxiety and stress (all B's > 2.44; all p's <0.035), but failed to predict depression (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study reflect the difference in the fundamental and multidimensional nature of depression compared to anxiety and stress indices. This findings showed sexual function in predicting depression index is insignificant. In fact, depression index is more complex than anxiety and stress, although they have common pathologic base. The results of this study can be used to design new pathologic approaches