Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is related to poor sexual quality of life in young sexually active women.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) genital infection has been related to several diseases in young sexually active women. It could be related to their sexual quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether genital Ct infection can induce sexual function alterations in women.


METHODS
Nine hundred ninety-eight women (mean age 29.4, range 18-43) attending our Sexually Transmitted Disease Centre were enrolled in this observational case-control study. All participants were clinically and microbiologically investigated due to their sexual relationships with a subject affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis. All participants underwent microbiological cultures, DNA and antibodies evaluation for common bacteria and Ct on vaginal swab and urine samples. They completed the Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] questionnaire. On the basis of microbiological investigation results, all patients were split into three groups: Group A-genital Ct infection, Group B-genital common bacteria/yeast infection, and Group C-negative for Ct and bacteria/yeast infection.


METHODS
FSFI questionnaire.


RESULTS
Two hundred ninety-one women were classified in Group A, 276 in Group B, and 431 in Group C. Group A patients were statistically, significantly different from Group B and Group C patients in terms of pain during sexual intercourse and sexual satisfaction. Group C patients had significantly higher FSFI scores (27.1 ± 1.3) (P < 0.001) for both desire (4.9 ± 1.0) and lubrication domain (3.8 ± 1.1) (P < 0.001, P < 0.003, respectively) when compared with Group A patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that negative Ct infection marker in female patients must be considered as an independent prognostic factor in predicting a subsequent optimal FSFI questionnaire score (P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Positive values of Ct infection markers are associated with lower FSFI scores for sexual desire, lubrication, and overall sexual function. Genital Ct infection could induce pain during sexual intercourse, reducing sexual satisfaction and sexual quality of life in young sexually active women.
Department of Urology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy. ktommy@libero.it
Tommaso
T
Cai
Nicola
N
Mondaini
Serena
S
Migno
Francesca
F
Meacci
Vieri
V
Boddi
Paolo
P
Gontero
Gianni
G
Malossini
Pierangelo
P
Geppetti
Sandra
S
Mazzoli
Riccardo
R
Bartoletti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers