Abstracts

Female adolescents with chronic disorders have their sexual-related issues ignored by health-related professionals and parents.It is assumed that sexual concerns do not represent a concern for these individuals.However, recent studies showed that adolescents with chronic conditions become sexually involved as their peers.The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the sexual behaviors,sexual orientation and pregnancy rates in female adolescents with epilepsy, a chronic stigmatizing condition and compared with female adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),a visible and disabling disease,without stigma., A standard questionnaire was applied for consecutive 75 female adolescents,23 with epilepsy () and 52 with SLE (), ages between 11 to 20 ys of age. All interviews were performed by the same physician with previous knowledge of the patients[apos] clinical history and ancillary exams.Data regarding the 1^st part of the questionnaire was obtained by direct interview addressing personal issues (social and economic class, age and schooling) and epilepsy data.The 2^nd part of the questionnaire investigated gynecologic data (menarche,menstrual cycles,periodicity, dysmenorrhea,pregnancy,miscarriage,delivery,post-partum and newborn children.The 3^rd and 4^th parts addressed sexual behavior information and counseling, respectively., mean age was16.1 ys and in mean age was 16.17 ys. Both groups did not present statistical differences for their demographic data, except for socio-economic-educational level.Mean age for menarche was later in (12.8 ys) compared to (11.6 ys) ().Age of the first sexual intercourse was similar in both groups.Nine patients (39.1%) out of the were sexually active whereas 12 in (23.1%) were likewise (p=0.1534). Mean sexual intercourse frequency per month was 2.8 in and 4.3 in . Libido was reported by 71.4% in and 100% reported attained orgasm.In ,66.7% had libido and 50% reported orgasm ().Regarding counseling, 72.7% from and 83.3% from reported contraceptive use,although most without appropriate orientation.Seven girls(63.6%) in had at least one previous pregnancy, while only one(8.3%) in had been pregnant()., Although epilepsy is a chronic albeit not visible disorder, it is stigmatizing to the patient. On the other hand, SLE is a chronic, debilitating disorder.Despite that, questionnaire applied failed to produce a statistically difference in sexual-related behaviors between adolescents with lupus and epilepsy.Several sexual behavior landmarks were identical despite significant demographic social and academic differences. However, patients with epilepsy had a higher risk for unplanned pregnancies, suggesting that these patients have unmet counseling needs related to the stigma of this disorder., (Supported by FAPESP05/03527-3.)