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Sexual function in young women with type 1 diabetes: the METRO study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in young women with type 1 diabetes treated with different intensive insulin regimens.

Methods

Type 1 diabetic women aged 18–35 years were included in this study if they had stable couple relationship and no oral contraceptive use. All women were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and other validated multiple-choice questionnaires assessing sexual-related distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale, FSDS), quality of life (SF-36 Health Survey), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, SRDS) and diabetes-related problems (Diabetes Integration Scale ATT-19). FSD was diagnosed according to a FSFI score higher than 26.55 and a FSDS score lower than 15.

Results

The overall prevalence of FSD in diabetic and control women was 20 and 15 %, respectively (P = 0.446). Compared with the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion group and control women, diabetic women on multiple daily injections (MDI) had lower global FSFI score (P = 0.007), FSDS score (P = 0.045) and domains such as arousal (P = 0.006), lubrication and satisfaction scores (P < 0.001 for both). In the multiple regression analysis, only the mental component summary (P = 0.047) and the SRDS score (P = 0.042) were independent predictors of FSFI score in the overall diabetic women.

Conclusion

Young women with type 1 diabetes wearing an insulin pump show a prevalence of sexual dysfunction similar to that of healthy age-matched women, but sexual function was significantly impaired in diabetic women on MDI therapy. Depression and the mental health status were independent predictors for FSD in diabetic women.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Paolo Cirillo, Elisabetta Della Volpe, Maria Rosaria Improta and Marella Solimeno for data collection and technical support, and Concetta Verazzo for nursing assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes Unit, Second University of Naples, Piazza L. Miraglia no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy

    M. I. Maiorino, G. Bellastella, F. Castaldo, D. Giugliano & K. Esposito

  2. Diabetes Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic Sciences and Aging, Second University of Naples, Piazza L. Miraglia no 2, 80138, Naples, Italy

    M. Petrizzo & K. Esposito

Authors
  1. M. I. Maiorino
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  2. G. Bellastella
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  3. F. Castaldo
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  4. M. Petrizzo
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  5. D. Giugliano
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  6. K. Esposito
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. I. Maiorino.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Maiorino, M.I., Bellastella, G., Castaldo, F. et al. Sexual function in young women with type 1 diabetes: the METRO study. J Endocrinol Invest 40, 169–177 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0542-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0542-5

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