Journal Article

POS0329 SEXUAL LIFE QUALITY IN FEMALE PATIENTS AFFECTED BY FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

Favretti, M., Dolcini, G., Iannuccelli, C., DI Franco, M.

2024

Overview

Background:Fibromyalgia (FM) is one of the most common causes of chronic widespread pain. Although pain is the most distinctive feature of this syndrome, FM is characterized by a complex polysymptomatology that also comprises fatigue, sleep disturbances and other functional symptoms that negatively affect the overall quality of life. Since FM can negatively affect personal well-being, self-image and interpersonal relationship, it can also impact sexual functioning and pleasure. When interrogated regarding sexuality, female FM patients answer that it is important for their quality of life and, for the majority of them, it appears as a physical, psychological, emotional and relational need. For these reason, women require support and understanding from both their partners and health care professionals. In this context, the availability of a simple and rapidly administered questionnaire, such as the Qualisex, for the evaluation of sexual disfunction on these patients might be considered an acceptable method of communication of this sensitive issue.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual disfunctions in a large cohort of FM women through Qualisex questionnaire, which has been originally created for French patients with rheumatoid arthritis and recently adapted and validated to Italian language for FM patients.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, consecutive women with a diagnosis of FM (2016 ACR criteria) referring to our out-patients Fibromyalgia Clinic were asked to answer an anonymous online survey, including demographic characteristics, medical and pharmacological history, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Qualisex questionnaire for sexual dysfunction.Results:The cohort enrolled in this study was composed by 489 FM women, median age 50. The results of the univariate analysis showed a worse sexual functioning in women with lower educational level, housekeepers and retired patients but also in women who referred a concomitant diagnosis of chronic pelvic pathology or a psychiatric disorder. Among women who were in an active relationship, the referred sexual understanding with the partner was inversely associated with sexual functioning. Finally, the consumption of drugs known to be associated with a reduction of sexual desire resulted significantly associated with a worse sexual functioning (Table 1). The multivariate linear model showed a significant influence of the presence of a partner in women’s life, the referred sexual understanding and the use of drugs associated with a reduction of sexual desire on women’s quality of life (Table 2).Conclusion:Qualisex questionnaire represents a good test to detect the impaired sexuality in FM female patients, to establish a more correct intervention, pharmacological, psychotherapeutic (single or couple) and supportive, reducing the destructive circle that FM and poor sexual quality determine. Different aspects contribute to sexual dysfunction, with an important impact of FM on sexual quality and consequently a worsening of FM symptoms.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism,Elsevier B.V,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Chronic pain / Diagnosis / Females / Fibromyalgia / Pain / Patients / Quality of life / Questionnaires / Rheumatoid arthritis / Scientific Abstracts / Sexual disorders / Sexuality / Well being