Analysis of sexual function of patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis through self-administered questionnaires: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
To date, there are no descriptions in the literature on gynecologic and sexual function evaluation in female patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM).


OBJECTIVE
To assess sexual function in female patients with DM/PM.


METHODS
This is a monocentric, cross-sectional study in which 23 patients (16 DM and 7 PM), with ages between 18 and 40 years, were compared to 23 healthy women of the same age group. Characteristics on sexual function were obtained by applying the questionnaires Female Sexual Quotient (FSQ) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) validated for the Brazilian Portuguese language.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients was comparable to controls (32.7±5.3 vs. 31.7±6.7 years), as well as the distribution of ethnicity and socioeconomic class. As for gynecological characteristics, patients and healthy controls did not differ with respect to age at menarche and percentages of dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, premenstrual syndrome, pain at mid-cycle, mucocervical secretion, and vaginal discharge. The FSQ score, as well as all domains of the FSFI questionnaire (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction), were significantly decreased in patients vs. controls, with 60.9% of patients showing some degree of sexual dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
This was the first study to identify sexual dysfunction in patients with DM/PM. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, in order to provide prevention and care for their sexual life, providing a better quality of life, both for patients and their partners.
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Serviço de Reumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Fernando Henrique Carlos de
FHC
Souza
Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Daniel Brito de
DB
Araújo
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Clovis Artur
CA
Silva
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Serviço de Reumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Renata
R
Miossi
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatria, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Carmita Helena Najjar
CHN
Abdo
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Disciplina de Reumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Eloisa
E
Bonfá
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Disciplina de Reumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: samuel.shinjo@gmail.com.
Samuel Katsuyuki
SK
Shinjo
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Dermatomiosite; Dermatomyositis; Disfunção sexual; Inflammatory myopathies; Miopatias inflamatórias; Polimiosite; Polymyositis; Sexual dysfunction; Sexualidade; Sexuality