Sexual dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on quality of life and sexual function infemale patients.Materials and methods: The study included 30 sexually active female patients with SSc and 30 healthy control subjects. For allparticipants in both the patient and control groups, the female sexual index and SF-36 forms were completed and a detailed medicaland sexual history was taken.Results: The mean age was 45.03 ± 9.22 years in the SSc group and 44.6 ± 11.52 years in the control group (P = 0.87). The SF-36 scoresin the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Sexual dysfunction was found in 26/30 (86.6%) of the SScpatients and in 6/30 (20%) of the control group (P = 0.0001). Significant differences were determined between the groups with respectto sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain. There was no significant relationship between the subgroupsof SSc patients, duration of disease, lung involvement, and FSFI scores.Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction and lower health quality are common problems in female patients with systemic sclerosis.