Session Information
Session Type: ACR Poster Session B
Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease leading to various physical and psychological impairments including sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess sexual functions/quality of life and pelvic floor function in female SSc patients compared to age-/sex-matched healthy controls (HC), and to analyze the potential impact of disease activity, fatigue, physical activity and depression.
Methods: In total, 41 women with SSc (mean age: 50.9, disease duration: 5.8 years, lcSSc/dcSSc: 18/23, mRSS: 13.6, ESSG activity index: 2.5), who fulfilled the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria, and 41 healthy controls (mean age: 50.9) without rheumatic diseases filled in 12 well-established and validated questionnaires assessing sexual function/quality of life, pelvic floor function, fatigue, physical activity and depression. Full names of questionnaires are listed in the table. Data are presented as mean±SEM.
Results: Compared to HC, patients with SSc had significantly higher prevalence and greater severity of sexual dysfunction (FSFI, BISF-W: in all subscales as well as total scores), dysfunction of pelvic floor (PISQ-12, PFIQ7), and worse sexual quality of life (SQol-F) (table). Worse scores in SSc patients were associated with higher disease activity [ESSG activity index: SQol-F (r=-0.364,p=0.0443), PFIQ7-gynaecological subscale (r=0.492,p=0.0036)], greater fatigue [all three questionnaires FSS/FIS/MAF correlated negatively with FSFI, BISF-W], more severe depression [BDI-II: FSFI (r=-0.553,p=0.0002), BISF-W (r=-0.514,p=0.0007), PFIQ7 (r=0.495,p=0,0010)], deteriorated quality of life [SHAQ: FSFI (r=-0.536,p=0.0003), BISF-W (r=-0.563,p=0.0001), SQol-F (r=-0.338,p=0.0382), PISQ-12 (r=0.563,p=0.0051), PFIQ7 (r=0.380,p=0.0142)], and worse ability to perform physical activities [HAP: FSFI (r=0.407,p=0.0082), BISF-W (r=0.409,p=0.0078)].
Conclusion: Women with SSc reported significantly impaired sexual function, sexual quality of life and pelvic floor function than age-matched healthy controls. Worse scores in SSc were associated with disease activity, physical activity, fatigue, depression and quality of life.
Acknowledgements: Supported by AZV-16-33574A, MHCR 023728
|
Questionnaire: score range |
Systemic sclerosis (n=41) |
Healthy controls (n=41) |
p-value |
|
FSFI: Female Sexual Function Index: 2(worst)-36(best) |
15.2±1.7 |
25.0±1.7 |
p<0.0001 |
|
BISF-W: Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women: -16(worst)-75(best) |
17.5±2.8 |
29.7±2.8 |
p=0.0027 |
|
PISQ–12: Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form: 0(best)-48(worst) |
13.9±0.9 |
8.5±0.7 |
p<0.0001 |
|
PFIQ7: Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire – short form 7: 0(best)-300(worst) |
26.4±5.9 |
7.1±2.2 |
p=0.0092 |
|
SQoL-F: Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire – Female: 0(worst)-100(best) |
56.7±3.9 |
78.8±3.3 |
p<0.0001 |
|
FSS: Fatigue Severity Scale: 9(best)-63(worst) |
40.7±2.2 |
6.9±1.0 |
p<0.0001 |
|
FIS: Fatigue Impact Scale: 0(best)-160(worst) |
59.2±4.9 |
28.8±4.3 |
p<0.0001 |
|
MAF: Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale: 1(best)-50(worst) |
26.0±1.6 |
13.6±1.3 |
p<0.0001 |
|
BDI-II: Beck’s Depression Inventory II: 0(best)-63(worst) |
14.2 ±1.3 |
4.8± 0.8 |
p<0.0001 |
|
HAP: Human Activity Profile–adjusted activity score: 0(worst)-94(best) |
49.4±3.7 |
81.1±1.5 |
p<0.0001 |
|
HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire: 0(best)-3(worst) |
0.9±0.1 |
0.1±0.0 |
p<0.0001 |
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Hermankova B, Spiritovic M, Smucrova H, Oreska S, Storkanova H, Pavelka K, Vencovsky J, Šenolt L, Becvar R, Tomcik M. Sexual Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis Female Patients [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018; 70 (suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/sexual-dysfunction-in-systemic-sclerosis-female-patients/. Accessed .« Back to 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/sexual-dysfunction-in-systemic-sclerosis-female-patients/