Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Taiwanese females with rheumatoid arthritis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 05 Feb 2016 
 
Reviewer:  Maria  Maiorino  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
The study of Lin et al. describes the prevalence and correlates of FSD in a sample of Asian 
women with RA. The authors found that  approximatively half of women had FSD; age, 
comorbid condition, depressive symptoms, and greater diseases activity were the main correlates 
of sexual function in this selected population. The topic is interesting, but findings are quite 
obvious, although no studies have been showed these results before.  
 
1) My major concern regards the absence of a age -matched control group. Although the authors 
calculated the sample size, however this should be added in the limitations.  
 
2) FSD is highly prevalent in diabe tic women   (Diabetes and sexual dysfunction: current 
perspectives. Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2014 Mar 
6;7:95 -105): it would be of interest indicate how many patients with FSD had diabetes.  
 
3) Are the authors able t o show the FSFI scores related to the single domains of sexual function? 
It would be interesting to know which domain is primarily affected in women with RA.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an  additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation  that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
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4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relatin g to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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