THU0280 SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY
Authors: Griselda Serna-Peña, Iris Jazmin Colunga-Pedraza, Miguel Angel Villarreal-Alarcón, Ileana Cecilia Reynosa-Silva, Sergio Andrés Castillo-Torres, Dionicio Ángel Galarza-Delgado
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background:</h3> Normal sexual function consists in the transition, during sexual activity, through the phases of excitement to relaxation without problems, and with a feeling of pleasure, satisfaction and fulfillment (1). The effect of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in sexual function has been one of the least studied areas, but it is thought that some disease-related characteristics could have a negative effect. There are few previous studies that investigate sexual function in SLE, general results indicate a negative impact (2). <h3>Objectives:</h3> The main aim of this study is to determine if there is an altered sexual function in Mexican women with SLE and compare if it occurs in a greater proportion than in healthy women. <h3>Methods:</h3> A case-control study with 102 Mexican women between 18 and 60 years, with SLE diagnosis (according to SLICC 2012 criteria) and a control group of healthy women (n=156) matched by age. Patients were excluded if they couldn't answer the questionnaires reliably and pregnant women. They were asked about the presence of active sexual life in the last month and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) self-questionnaire was applied. Variables between groups were compared with Chi-square and Mann U Whitney test. <h3>Results:</h3> Baseline demographic characteristics between groups are shown in table 1. Women with SLE had less sexual activity, during the last month, than controls (63.7% vs 77.5%, p = 0.01). Out of the total women included, the FSFI was applied only to those that had an active sexual life, 65 with SLE and 121 healthy women. Sexual disfunction (&lt;26.5 points) was found in 28% women with SLE and in 22% of controls, with no significant differences (p=0.4). In the SLE group, a worse total score was found, as well as alteration in the desire and excitation domains when compared to healthy women (Table 2). In the multivariate linear regression analysis (using FSFI as the variable), no relationship was found with any demographic or disease-related variables. *-Mann U Whitney or Chi-Square test according to type of variable. SD – Standard Deviation. *-Mann U Whitney or Chi-square test according to type of variable. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Women with SLE, in this study, have less sexual activity than healthy women, but no greater sexual disfunction. However, they have a worse performance in the desire and excitation areas. This alteration did not show a relation with demographic nor disease-related variables. The abnormality found could be explained by a psychosocial factor not evaluated in this study. <h3>References:</h3> [1] Tristano AG. The impact of rheumatic diseases on sexual function. Rheumatol Int. 2009. doi:10.1007/s00296-009-0850-6 [2] Daleboudt GMN, et al. The impact of illness perceptions on sexual functioning in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Psychosom Res. 2013. <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> None declared