Clinical aspects
Sexual function in German women with systemic sclerosis compared to women with systemic lupus erythematosus and evaluation of a screening test
M. Schmalzing1, L.F. Nau2, M. Gernert3, M. Froehlich4, E.C. Schwaneck5, A.-C. Pecher6, S. Saur7, H.-P. Tony8, M. Henes9, J. Henes10
- Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany. schmalzing_m@ukw.de
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases INDIRA and Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
- Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
- Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
- Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases INDIRA and Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases INDIRA and Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
- Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
- Gynaecology, University Hospital for Women Tübingen, Germany.
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases INDIRA and Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
CER12858
2020 Vol.38, N°3 ,Suppl.125
PI 0059, PF 0064
Clinical aspects
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PMID: 32301433 [PubMed]
Received: 10/10/2019
Accepted : 24/02/2020
In Press: 14/04/2020
Published: 26/08/2020
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To assess and compare sexual dysfunction (SDF) in female patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), to correlate sexual function with disease characteristics and depression, and to evaluate a short questionnaire (Qualisex) as a screening test.
METHODS:
Female patients with systemic sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus in two German tertiary university hospitals were evaluated in a prospective study. A self-designed questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Qualisex, and the Beck’s depression inventory were used.
RESULTS:
171 female patients were included into the study (83 with SSc, and 88 with SLE). 62.6% (52 of 83) of SSc patients and 67.0% (59 of 88) of SLE patients were sexually active. Only 9.6% of SSc patients and 14.8% of SLE patients had ever discussed sexual problems with their physician. Significantly more SSc patients would wish to discuss sexuality with their physician more intensively (37.3% vs. 28.4% in SLE patients, p=0.011). Among the 51 sexually active and evaluable SSc patients a mean FSFI of 25.53 (±5.06) was found, with a FSFI value defining sexual dysfunction (SDF) (<26.55) in 49% of patients, which did not differ significantly compared to SLE patients (n=59, mean FSFI 26.92 (±5.17), SDF in 45.8%). The Qualisex correlated significantly with the FSFI, and both Qualisex and FSFI correlated with depressiveness.
CONCLUSIONS:
Sexual dysfunction (SDF) is a frequent problem in female patients with SSc and SLE. Addressing sexual issues during medical consultation is an unmet need. The Qualisex constitutes a short questionnaire, which is suitable for addressing concerns on sexuality.
