The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire — re-validation and development of a 15-item version with a large US sample

Timothy Vollmer, MD

 

The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire

Background: Sexual dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) but reliable and valid measurement in this population is needed.

Objective: The objective of this research is to re-validate the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 in a large US sample.

Methods: A total of 6300 MS patients from the NARCOMS registry completed the MSISQ-19. Unforced principal component analysis utilizing
oblique rotation with Kaiser Normalization validated its construct validity.

 Conclusion: The revised 15-item MSISQ is a reliable and valid measure of sexual dysfunction in men and women with MS.

1. Frederick W Foley1,2
2. Vance Zemon1
3. Denise Campagnolo6
4. Ruth Ann Marrie3
5. Gary Cutter4
6. Tuula Tyry5
7. Meghan Beier1
8. Eileen Farrell1
9. Timothy Vollmer6
10. Laura Schairer1

1. ¹Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, USA
2. ²Holy Name Medical Center, Multiple Sclerosis Center, USA
3. ³Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
4. ⁴Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
5. ⁵Barrow Neurological Institute, USA
6. ⁶Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, University of Colorado Hospital, USA

1. Frederick W. Foley, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. Email: ffoley1@aol.com