[Sexual quality of life in patients with low back pain and the radiological changes evaluated in magnetic resonance].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Literature data concerning the association between the back pain syndrome and the quality of sexual life are rare, especially in the Polish literature. There are also no reports on the association between magnetic resonance (MRI) results and sexual satisfaction in patients with low back pain (L-S). The aim: To assess the association between the severity of degenerative-discopathic changes in the MRI of L-S spine and the quality of sexual life in patients with low back pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study involved 200 patients (107 women and 93 men), referred for MRI of the L-S spine due to the back pain syndrome. The assessment of satisfaction with sexual life at present and before the disease was made by the self-constructed questionnaire and with the use of the Question No. 8 of the Oswestry Questionnaire (ODI). In addition, the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was used. MRIs were analyzed based on the author's scoring scale, assessing selected radiological changes at levels L1-S1. The total score was in the range of 0-50 points. RESULTS: Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the quality of sexual life (8.9 points vs 6.3 points) (<0.001). Back pain did not affect sexual life only in 36.9% of respondents. 26.5% patients were sexually inactive, 7.5% of them declared that pain was the reason for this. There was no statistically significant correlation between the intensity of radiological changes and satisfaction with sexual life. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Back pain affects the patients' sexual life. There was no association between the severity of degenerative-discopathic changes assessed in the MRI and the quality of sexual life in patients with L-S back pain syndrome.