Sexual dysfunction and physical performance in female systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Aim of the work: To investigate the sexual dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and its relation to physical fitness and other disease parameters. Patients and methods: The study included 47 SLE females and 47 matched healthy controls. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and systemic lupus international collaborative clinics damage index (SLICC DI) were assessed. Physical performance of the patients was assessed by the grip ability test (GAT), gait velocity test, Jebsen hand function test, fatigue severity scale (FSS) and the modified health assessment questionnaire (mHAQ). Sexual dysfunction of the patients was assessed by the sexual function index (FSFI). Depressive disorders of the patients were assessed by Beck depression inventory. Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.7 +/- 7.2 years and disease duration 4.4 +/- 2.9 years. GAT was significantly lower (43.65 vs 70.00; p = 0.001), and FSS higher (6.5 vs 1; p = 0.001) in patients compared to control. The total FSFI was significantly lower (23.41 vs 29.60; p = 0.001) and all domains scores were significantly lower except the pain domain (p = 0.001). Beck depression inventory score was higher in patients (13.29 vs 12.74; p = 0.365). SLE females with prescribed corticosteroids and azathioprine had significantly lower FSFI as compared to those without while FSFI score was higher in those receiving hydroxychloroquine. The FSFI significantly correlated with C4 level (r = 0.328, p = 0.024 and inversely with, SLEDAI (r =-0.07, p = 0.001), FSS (r =-0.54, p = 0.001), mHAQ (-0.37, p = 0.01) and with Beck depression inventory (r =-0.57, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Married female patients with SLE revealed a higher degree of sexual dysfunction of all domains except pain. (c) 2021 Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases. Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).