Background/Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common condition in young and middle-aged women, which is mainly characterized by diffuse chronic pain and is associated with other manifestations such as fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, stiffness, anxiety and depresión¹. Recent studies have evaluated that chronic pain syndrome and related manifestations could have a negative impact on sexual function of these patients, as well as psycho-physical abuse history could act as potential triggers of FM. OBJECTIVE: Assess sexual function in women with FM and correlate with tender points count, clinical severity, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue and history of physical and psychological violence.

Methods: A case-control study. Between 03/01/12 and 06/30/12 were included consecutively: women >18 years diagnosed with FM according to ACR criteria ’90, and healthy controls >18 years, without history of violence. We excluded patients with other causes of chronic pain disorders and psychotic disorders. We recorded: sociodemographic data, education, employment and menopausal status and sexual function by Female Sexual Function Index² (FSFI: self-administered questionnaire that assesses six domains). In the FM group tender points count, duration of disease, medication, psychological care, presence of chronic fatigue (by Fukuda Criteria), clinical severity (FIQ-Spanish version ), depression (HADS), and history of physical or psychological violence (Screening Questionnaire of Violence)³  were assessed. We used Chi²test, Student t test and Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation coefficient (significant p ≤ 0.05).

Results:  We included 52 patients in the FM group and 52 in the control group. Median age: 50 ± 9.2 and 47 ± 10 years, respectively. FM Group: Medium evolution time: 60 months, mean pain points: 15 ± 3, FIQ median: 67.8 (28-86). 73.1% received medication for FM and 44.2% demanded psychological care. Patients with FM showed variables

Conclusion: Our patients with FM had impaired sexual function compared to control group. Physical and psychological violence were frequent but weren´t related with sexuality function.

1. Kalichman L. Association Between Sexual Dysfunction and FM. Clinical Rheum 2009, 28: 365-69.

2.Blumel JE, Binfa LE, Cataldo PA, Carrasco AV. Female Sexual Function Index: a test to assess women’s sexuality. Rev Chil. Obstetrics Gynecol 2004; 69 (2): 118-125.
3. Tavara-Orozco L, Zegarra-Samame Turra, Ceiso Zelaya. Screening Gender Violence: three services reproductive health care. Ginecol. Obstet (Peru) 2003, 49 (1): 31-

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/female-sexual-function-in-fibromyalgia/