TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on women's sexual functioning
AU - Curry, S. L.
AU - Levine, S. B.
AU - Corty, E.
AU - Jones, P. K.
AU - Kurit, D. M.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2004 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 1994
Y1 - 1994
N2 - Objective. We investigated the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the mediating effects of psychosocial factors on women's sexual adjustment. Methods. Data were obtained through structured interviews and psychometric scales administered to 100 female subjects with SLE and 71 disease-free controls. Results. Compared with controls, patients with SLE had a significantly higher rate of abstention (26 vs 4%, p < 0.01), a lower frequency of sexual activity among the sexually active (p < 0.05), diminished vaginal lubrication (p < 0.01), and poorer general sexual adjustment (p < 0.01). Greater disease severity was associated with more impairment in sexual function (p < 0.01). Variables mediating the relationship between diagnostic status and sexual outcome included age (Δ R2 = 0.04, p < 0.01), relationship status (Δ R2 = 0.03, p < 0.05), weight concerns (Δ R2 = 0.05, p < 0.01), premorbid sexual adjustment (Δ R2 = 0.04, p < 0.01), and depression (Δ R2 = 0.03, p < 0.05). Seventy-two percent of patients with SLE were receptive to physician inquiry about sexual functioning and 82% desired further education about the sexual impact of the disease. Conclusion. Our results suggest that sexual impairment is not inevitable among women with SLE. The role that providers can play in helping to prevent sexual difficulties is discussed.
AB - Objective. We investigated the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the mediating effects of psychosocial factors on women's sexual adjustment. Methods. Data were obtained through structured interviews and psychometric scales administered to 100 female subjects with SLE and 71 disease-free controls. Results. Compared with controls, patients with SLE had a significantly higher rate of abstention (26 vs 4%, p < 0.01), a lower frequency of sexual activity among the sexually active (p < 0.05), diminished vaginal lubrication (p < 0.01), and poorer general sexual adjustment (p < 0.01). Greater disease severity was associated with more impairment in sexual function (p < 0.01). Variables mediating the relationship between diagnostic status and sexual outcome included age (Δ R2 = 0.04, p < 0.01), relationship status (Δ R2 = 0.03, p < 0.05), weight concerns (Δ R2 = 0.05, p < 0.01), premorbid sexual adjustment (Δ R2 = 0.04, p < 0.01), and depression (Δ R2 = 0.03, p < 0.05). Seventy-two percent of patients with SLE were receptive to physician inquiry about sexual functioning and 82% desired further education about the sexual impact of the disease. Conclusion. Our results suggest that sexual impairment is not inevitable among women with SLE. The role that providers can play in helping to prevent sexual difficulties is discussed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0028609372&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0028609372&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 7699626
AN - SCOPUS:0028609372
SN - 0315-162X
VL - 21
SP - 2254
EP - 2260
JO - Journal of Rheumatology
JF - Journal of Rheumatology
IS - 12
ER -