Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Mexican Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

We estimate the prevalence and identified the associated factors of sexual dysfunction in Mexican women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A cross-sectional survey was applied to 100 women with RA and compared with 100 healthy, sexually active, adult women. Assessments included an interview using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Assessment of factors related to sexual dysfunction included gynecologic characteristics, disease activity (DAS-28), and functioning questionnaire (HAQ-DI). Mann-Whitney U test and the Chi-square test were used to compare medians and proportions between the groups. A multivariate logistic regression was performed using sexual dysfunction according to impairments shown by the FSFI. A higher proportion of RA patients had sexual dysfunction compared with controls. Domains with higher impairment in RA patients were desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. A decrease in sexual function correlated with age (r = -0.365 p < 0.001) and higher scores in HAQ-DI (r = -0.261 p = 0.009). Those patients with a higher disability had higher impairments in desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction. In the multivariate analysis, menopause was associated with sexual dysfunction (OR: 10.02; 95% CI: 1.05-95.40, p = 0.04), whereas use of methotrexate was a protective factor (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11-0.92, p = 0.03). Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in Mexican women with RA. Clinicians should systematically evaluate the impairment in sexual function in women with RA.

Automated summary

This study estimated the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Mexican women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed a higher proportion of RA patients experiencing sexual dysfunction compared to healthy controls. The domains most affected were desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Age and higher disability scores were correlated with decreased sexual function. Menopause was associated with sexual dysfunction, while the use of methotrexate was a protective factor.