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Investigation of the relationship between the pelvic floor and sexual dysfunction in women with Sjögren’s syndrome
Author(s) -
Cetin Sebahat Yaprak,
Buyuk Alime,
Ayan Ayse
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.13998
Subject(s) - pelvic floor , medicine , distress , sexual function , quality of life (healthcare) , sexual dysfunction , physical therapy , sex life , gynecology , human sexuality , surgery , clinical psychology , nursing , gender studies , sociology
Background and aim Women with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) may have sexual dysfunctions due to vaginal dryness and may also have pelvic floor problems. The aim of this study was to examine the pelvic floor distress of women with SS with a self‐reported questionnaire, to compare this group with healthy individuals, and to examine the relationship between pelvic floor problems and sexual dysfunction. Methods The study included 94 women with SS, aged 47.26 ± 7.56 years, and 94 age‐matched healthy women, aged 48.15 ± 8.73 years. The Pelvic Floor Disease Inventory (PFDI‐20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ‐7), and Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI) were used for assessment. Results The PFDI‐20, PFIQ‐7, and FSFI scores of the healthy control group were found to be statistically significantly better than those of the primary SS group ( Z = −2.69 to −8.03, P = .00). A moderate‐high correlation was found between the total and sub‐parameters of PFDI‐20 and disease duration, the total and sub‐parameters of the PFIQ‐7 and the pain sub‐parameter and total score of the FSFI ( r = −0.66 to 0.78, P = .00‐.04). Conclusion According to the study results, as the disease duration increases, the distress increases and this distress has a negative effect on the health‐related quality of life of these women. Pelvic floor distress was associated with poor sexual function and pain. From these results, it can be recommended that the methods of pharmacology, education, exercise, relaxation, lifestyle change, and so on for pelvic floor dysfunction and pain in women with SS should be applied together with a multidisciplinary approach.