The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ): Validation of the Turkish version in patient with multiple sclerosis.

This study aimed to psychometrically evaluate the Turkish version of the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) in women with MS. The study included 130 women with MS. The Turkish linguistic validation process of the original English MSISQ-15 was performed according to standardized guidelines. Reliability analysis was evaluated with test-retest analysis and intra-class correlation (ICC). Internal consistency between the items was analyzed using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Item analysis results were used to assess the contribution of the items to the scale. In evaluating the validity of the scale, the relationship between the MSISQ and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire-54 (MSQOL-54), and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PSIQ-12) was investigated. Psychometric properties were analyzed using internal consistency, test-rest reliability, construct validity, and floor-ceiling effect. The internal consistency of the Turkish MSISQ-15 was strong in terms of both sub-dimension score and the total score (Cronbach's a coefficient > 0.80). The test-retest reliability of the scale was very strong (ICC > 0.90). A medium-high correlation was found between the MSISQ-15 and the MSQOL-54, the FSFI, and the PSIQ-12 (between r = -0.448 and r = -0.798, p < 0.001, respectively). The MSISQ-15 is a comprehensive, reliable, and valid inventory to obtain information about the cause of sexual dysfunction in Turkish women with MS and to evaluate the level of sexual dysfunction. In future studies, it is recommended to examine the sensitivity of the Turkish MSISQ-15 to treatment-related changes.

The preventive and curative effects of melatonin against abdominal aortic aneurysm in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Oxygen free radicals are important components involved in the histopathologic tissue alterations observed during abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). This study examined whether melatonin has protective or therapeutic effects against AAAs. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. A CaCl2 model was used to induce AAA. Starting on the operation day (Mel+AAA+Mel group) or 4 weeks after the operation (AAA+Mel group), the rats received intraperitoneal melatonin (10 mg/kg/day) for 6 and 2 weeks, respectively. The control and AAA groups received vehicle for 2 weeks after the sham operation and AAA induction, respectively. Angiographic measurements were recorded at the beginning, week 4, and week 6 of the study. After decapitation, aorta tissues were taken for the measurement of malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, glutathione levels, and myeloperoxidase and caspase-3 activity. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tumor necrosis factor-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot technique. Aortic tissues were also examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: CaCl2 caused an inflammatory response and oxidative damage indicated by rises in malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. Myeloperoxidase and caspase-3 activities were increased, but glutathione levels were reduced. On the one hand, MMP-2, MMP-9, tumor necrosis factor-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expressions were increased in the vehicle-treated AAA group. On the other hand, melatonin treatment reversed all of these biochemical indices and histopathologic alterations. CONCLUSIONS: According to the data, although melatonin tended to reverse the biochemical parameters given on week 4, the preventive effect is more pronounced when given concomitantly with AAA induction because values were closer to the control levels.