Sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety among patients of an inner-city menopause clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in a sample comprising women of mostly Hispanic descent and low socioeconomic status (SES).


METHODS
Demographic data and symptoms related to sexuality were analyzed from 102 women who consecutively came to the Women's Life Center at Hartford Hospital (2004-2008). FSD was defined as decreased sexual desire, dyspareunia, or vaginal dryness; depression as one positive response to a validated three-question screening instrument; and anxiety as a positive response to whether the patient experiences anxiety sometimes or often.


RESULTS
The cohort was 52.9 ± 6.8 years of age (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) and 80.0% Hispanic, and 47.8% were unemployed. The majority (92.8%) earned < $25,000, and most (95.8%) did not have a college degree. The prevalence of FSD was 75.6%. The prevalence of depression was 80.9% vs. 52.8% (p = 0.01) and that of anxiety was 76.6% vs. 45.7% (p = 0.01) among women with vs. without a decrease in sexual desire. The prevalence of depression was 83.3% vs. 55.9% (p = 0.03) and that of anxiety was 76.7% vs. 52.9% (p = 0.07) among women who reported dyspareunia vs. those who did not. Problems sleeping was the only variable associated with a statistically higher likelihood of FSD (odds ratio [OR] 5.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-25.33, p = 0.03). No significant differences were seen when comparing FSD between Hispanics and non-Hispanics.


CONCLUSIONS
This sample of predominantly Hispanic women of low SES had a high prevalence of FSD. These data also suggest that poor sleep is significantly associated with FSD and that women of low SES with FSD may have a significantly higher prevalence of depression and anxiety.
Schnatz
Peter F
PF
Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, Pennsylvania 19612-6052, USA. schnatzp@readinghospital.org
Whitehurst
Sabrina Kum
SK
O'Sullivan
David M
DM
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D016387:Women's Health