Background Sjogren’s Syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the exocrine glands.¹ The most common clinical symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome are dry mouth and eyes. Vaginal dryness and dyspareunia may be seen in the disease, as the female genital mucosa is also affected.²

Objectives To compare the results by using the female sexual function scale in patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome with and without depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia and to evaluate the patients in terms of sexual dysfunction.

Methods Twenty-five female patients diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, according to the 2016 ACR-EULAR criteria, followed in the Internal Medicine, Rheumatology Clinic of Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, were included in the study after their consent was obtained. Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Female Sexual Function Scale were administered simultaneously to the patients. The presence of fibromyalgia was evaluated according to the 2016 Modified ACR diagnostic criteria. The relationship between depression, anxiety scale scores, the presence of fibromyalgia, and female sexual function was investigated.

Results The mean age of the patients was 49±8.1 years, and the median duration of the disease was four years. 15 (60%) patients were primary school graduates, 2 (8%) patients were secondary school graduates, 4 (16%) patients were high school graduates, and 4 (16%) patients were university graduates. 11 (44%) of the patients were in menopause. Sexual dysfunction was found in 21 (84%) patients diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome. There was no statistically significant difference in sexual function scale scores between those with and without menopause. No statistical difference was found in disease duration, age, and scale scores in the presence of fibromyalgia. Sexual dysfunction was more pronounced in those with depression and anxiety (p=0.003; p=0.045, respectively) (Table 1).

Conclusion Depression and anxiety cause lower sexual function scores in female patients diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome. The effect of fibromyalgia has not been demonstrated, but due to the limited number of patients, studies with a larger population will be more enlightening.

References [1]Priori R, Minniti A, Derme M, Antonazzo B, Brancatisano F, Ghirini S, et al. Quality of sexual life in women with primary Sjögren Syndrome. J Rheumatol. 2015 Aug;42(8):1427-31. doi:10.3899/jrheum.141475

[2]Piccioni MG, Merlino L, Deroma M, Del Prete F, Tabacco S, Monti M, Benedetti Panici P. The impact of primary Sjogren’s syndrome on female sexual function. Minerva Ginecol. 2020 Feb;72(1):50-54. DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4784.20.04494-9.

Disclosure of Interests None declared