ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

Abstract Number: 1726

Sexual Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis Female Patients

Barbora Hermankova1,2, Maja Spiritovic1,2, Hana Smucrova2, Sabina Oreska2,3, Hana Storkanova2,3, Karel Pavelka3,4, Jiri Vencovsky2,5, Ladislav Šenolt2,3, Radim Becvar2,3 and Michal Tomcik2,3, 1Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic, 2Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic, 3Department of Rheumatology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic, 4Institute of Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic, 5Department Rheumatology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

Meeting: 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords:

Session Information

Date: Monday, October 22, 2018

Session Title: Systemic Sclerosis and Related Disorders – Clinical Poster II

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

Disclosure: B. Hermankova, None; M. Spiritovic, None; H. Smucrova, None; S. Oreska, None; H. Storkanova, None; K. Pavelka, None; J. Vencovsky, None; L. Šenolt, None; R. Becvar, None; M. Tomcik, None.

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 January 30, 2023.

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