RESUMO
Introduction: The findings of previous studies are inconclusive in terms of psychological abnormalities and sexual function in asymptomatic human lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriers. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its relationship with psychological abnormalities in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on asymptomatic HTLV-1 patients who were referred to the Neurology Clinic of a tertiary hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Patients with spastic paraparesis, leukemia, and uveitis, and those with an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score higher than 2 were excluded. Sexual function in male and female subjects was evaluated using the brief male sexual function inventory (BMSFI) and female sexual dysfunction index (FSFI) questionnaires, respectively. The severity of psychological symptoms was evaluated in all patients using the symptom checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire. Results: A total of 117 patients (61 males and 56 females) with a mean age of 35.3 ± 6.3 years were evaluated. Overall, 50.9% of males had a high and 39.3% of females had a good sexual function. Both male and female patients with poor sexual function were older and had more children compared to those with good sexual function (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution pattern of SCL-90 domains between patients with high and low to moderate sexual function among male patients (P > 0.05). Depression, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, and psychological abnormality were significantly more prevalent in female patients with poor sexual function compared to those with good sexual function (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological abnormalities was high in female with sexual dysfunction and these disorders might have a negative effect on various dimensions of sexual function.
RESUMO
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus known to be associated with adult T-cell lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Previous researches and brain imaging techniques have suggested cognitive abnormalities as well as brain damage in individuals infected with this virus. Given the insufficient amount of studies on how this virus can impact the affected person's cognition, we aimed to assess and compare the cognitive abnormalities of HAM/TSP patients, asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers, and healthy controls. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients divided into 3 groups; a group of HAM/TSP patients, a group of asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers, and an uninfected control group. Each group contained 17 members. The cognitive state of the studied population was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF), the "Verbal Fluency Test" and the "Trail Making Test" (TMT) components of the Delis-Kaplan executive function system (D-KEFS) test, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and digit span memory test. Patients diagnosed with HAM/TSP received significantly lower scores on the SDMT, ROCF, TMT, RAVLT, digit span memory test, and the orientation, calculation, and recall component of the MMSE assessment (p-value < 0.001). In addition, the asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers obtained lower scores on the SDMT, ROCF, digit span memory test, and the orientation, calculation, and recall component of the MMSE assessment compared to the control group (p-value < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that HAM/TSP, or an asymptomatic infection with HTLV-1 could lead to cognitive deficits in the affected individuals. This can further emphasize the importance of assessing the cognitive function and psychiatric abnormalities of those infected with this virus.