Evaluation of sexual function and depression in female patients with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is one of the most important problems, especially for women. Studies point to disorders in the sexual functions of fibromyalgia patients that reduce their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual dysfunction and its relationship with disease severity and depression in women with fibromyalgia.

This study included 98 female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 54 healthy women. The Female Sexual Function Index was used to assess sexual dysfunction. Fibromyalgia disease severity was measured with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Hamilton Depression Scale was filled in to evaluate the depression status of the patients.

According to the female sexual function index data, female sexual dysfunction was found in 78 (79.6%) patients with fibromyalgia and only in 12 (22.2%) controls. When the female sexual function index scores of fibromyalgia patients with and without depression were compared, patients with additional depression had lower female sexual function index scores, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.002). In the correlation analysis, the female sexual function index score showed a significant negative correlation with the hamilton depression scale (rho=-0.235, p=0.020) and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (rho=-0.215, p=0.033) scores.

This study highlights the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in female fibromyalgia patients and the significant correlation between sexual dysfunction and both disease severity and depression.