Abstract
The effect of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in sexual function is one of the least studied areas. There are few previous studies that investigate sexual function in SLE, and current evidence indicates a negative impact. The main objective of this study is to evaluate sexual function in Mexican women with SLE and compare if sexual dysfunction occurs in a greater proportion than in healthy women. A case–control study with 102 Mexican women between 18 and 60 years, with SLE diagnosis and a control group of healthy women (n = 156) matched by age. They were asked about their sexual life in the last month, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) self-questionnaire was applied. Variables between groups were compared with Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U test. SLE women had less sexual activity than controls (63.7% vs 77.5%, p = 0.01). Out of the total, the FSFI was applied only to those that had an active sexual life, 65 with SLE and 121 healthy women. Sexual dysfunction (< 26.5 points) was found in 28% women with SLE and in 22% of controls, with no significant differences (p = 0.4). In the SLE group, a worse performance was found in the desire and excitation domains compared to healthy women. SLE women had less active sexual life than healthy women, but no greater sexual dysfunction. However, they performed worse in the desire and excitation domains. This alteration did not show a relation with demographic nor disease-related variables.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the health professionals and nurses that facilitate our work at the Division of Rheumatology of the University Hospital “Dr. José Eleuterio González” Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey Mexico, We are deeply grateful to all patients for their participation in this study.
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GSP and IJCP conceived the idea and the study design. Recruitment was performed by GSP, EEAM and ICRS. Statistical analyses were performed by SACT. Analysis and interpretations were performed by GSP, SACT, EEAM, DAGD, IJCP, MAVA and ICRS. Writing of the first draft was performed by GSP, EEAM and SACT. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work
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All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments
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Serna-Peña, G., Colunga-Pedraza, I.J., Villarreal-Alarcón, M.Á. et al. Sexual function in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case–control study. Rheumatol Int 41, 1465–1469 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021-04895-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021-04895-3