Hyperlipidemia and sexual function in premenopausal women.
BACKGROUND
No reported studies exist assessing the relationship between sexual function and hyperlipidemia in women.


OBJECTIVE
In this study, we assessed the domains of sexual function in a representative sample of sexually active premenopausal women with hyperlipidemia, but without cardiovascular disease, as compared with an age-matched female population without hyperlipidemia.


METHODS
To be enrolled in the study, women had to meet at least one of the following criteria for the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels >160 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels <50 mg/dL; or triglyceride levels >150 mg/dL. Lipid parameters were assessed and verified on blood taken at least twice in the hospital during the screening phase. Four hundred forty-one premenopausal women with hyperlipidemia were compared with 115 age-matched premenopausal women without hyperlipidemia.


METHODS
We used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for assessing the key dimensions of female sexual function.


RESULTS
The two groups were well matched for age and smoking prevalence. Compared with women of the control group, women with hyperlipidemia had reduced mean global FSFI score (22.8 +/- 6.8 vs. 29.4 +/- 4.9, P < 0.001). Individual analysis of the different domains showed that women with hyperlipidemia reported significantly lower arousal, orgasm, lubrication, and satisfaction scores than control women. Based on the total FSFI score, 51% of women with hyperlipidemia had scores of 26 or less, indicating sexual dysfunction, as compared with 21% of women without hyperlipidemia (P < 0.001). Based on a more conservative analysis including women under the lower quartile of the distribution of FSFI score, 32% of women with hyperlipidemia had scores of 23 or less, as compared with 9% of women without hyperlipidemia (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified age, body mass index, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides as independent predictors of FSFI score.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with hyperlipidemia have significantly lower FSFI-domain scores as compared with age-matched women without hyperlipidemia. HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were independently associated with the FSFI score.
Esposito
Katherine
K
Second University of Naples-Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
Ciotola
Miryam
M
Second University of Naples-Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
Maiorino
Maria Ida
MI
Second University of Naples-Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
Giugliano
Francesco
F
Second University of Naples-Division of Urology, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
Autorino
Riccardo
R
Second University of Naples-Division of Urology, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
De Sio
Marco
M
Second University of Naples-Division of Urology, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
Cozzolino
Domenico
D
Second University of Naples-Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Naples, Italy.
Saccomanno
Franco
F
Second University of Naples-Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
Giugliano
Dario
D
Second University of Naples-Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Naples, Italy.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides