Impaired sexual function in women with systemic sclerosis: A cross‐sectional study

Objective To compare sexual functioning and distress in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with that in healthy controls and determine the association between disease characteristics and sexual function. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 69 women with SSc (ages 18–60 years) and 58 hea...

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Published in:Arthritis and rheumatism 2009-11, Vol.61 (11), p.1601-1608
Main Authors: Schouffoer, A. A., van der Marel, J., ter Kuile, M. M., Weijenborg, P. T. M., Voskuyl, A., Vliet Vlieland, C. W., van Laar, J. M., Vliet Vlieland, T. P. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Affective Symptoms
Analysis
Counseling
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Depression - epidemiology
Diseases
Female
Health
Hospitals
Humans
Middle Aged
Objectives
Patients
Quality of Life
Scleroderma, Systemic - epidemiology
Scleroderma, Systemic - psychology
Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - epidemiology
Sexuality - psychology
Surveys
Surveys and Questionnaires
Women
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Summary:Objective To compare sexual functioning and distress in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with that in healthy controls and determine the association between disease characteristics and sexual function. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 69 women with SSc (ages 18–60 years) and 58 healthy, age‐matched controls. Assessment included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Short Form 36 health survey, sociodemographic characteristics, and in patients only, the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results Of 69 eligible patients with SSc, 37 (54%) responded, in addition to 37 (64%) of 58 controls. The FSFI total score and the subscale scores for lubrication, orgasm, arousal, and pain were significantly lower and the FSDS scores were significantly higher in patients with SSc. Longer disease duration and higher levels of marital dissatisfaction were significantly associated with low sexual function in patients with SSc. Longer disease duration, more depressive symptoms, and the use of antidepressants were significantly associated with sexual distress. Multivariate analyses indicated that marital distress was the only variable significantly associated with low sexual function in patients with SSc (β = 0.40, P < 0.05), whereas depression was the only variable significantly associated with sexual distress (β = 0.32, P < 0.05). The same pattern of associations was found in the healthy control group. Conclusion Women with SSc reported significantly impaired sexual functioning and more sexual distress then healthy controls. Impaired sexual functioning and sexual distress were associated with marital distress and depressive symptoms. These results indicate that in daily practice, inquiring about sexuality and screening for depressive symptoms is indicated in every patient with SSc, irrespective of their clinical characteristics.
ISSN:0004-3591
0893-7524
2151-4658
1529-0131
1529-0123
DOI:10.1002/art.24728