Quality of life and sexuality in women with lichen sclerosus: a cross-sectional study.
Journal
Clinical and experimental dermatology
ISSN: 1365-2230
Titre abrégé: Clin Exp Dermatol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7606847
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Feb 2022
Feb 2022
Historique:
revised:
12
08
2021
received:
17
11
2020
accepted:
12
08
2021
pubmed:
14
8
2021
medline:
5
3
2022
entrez:
13
8
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Lichen sclerosus (LS) affects the female anogenital area, causing anatomical changes. Reported symptoms include itching, soreness and dyspareunia. To evaluate the quality of life and sexual functioning in women with LS. In total, 158 women aged over 18 years, diagnosed with LS, and referred to North Denmark Regional Hospital from January 2018 to November 2019, were included. Three questionnaires, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the World Health Organization Five-Item Well-Being Index (WHO-5), were completed. The women (mean age 47 years, range 18-76) presented a low score on all FSFI scales, with a mean score of 13.83 (95% CI 12.46-15.20), indicating reduced sexual functioning. The subgroup evaluation scored for desire 2.32, arousal 2.23, lubrication 2.39, orgasm 2.28, satisfaction 3.02 and pain 1.59. The DLQI results revealed a mean score of 7.88 (95% CI 7.02-8.74), indicating a moderate effect on the women's everyday life. The mean subscores were treatment 0.32, sexual difficulties 1.56, relations 1.02, work/study 0.34, sport 0.45, social activities 0.54, clothing 0.89, shopping 0.22, embarrassment 0.99 and itching, soreness and pain 1.55. The mean score for the WHO-5 was 56.66 (95% CI 53.48-59.84) indicating that 40% of the women had signs of depression. LS has a considerable influence on the sexual functioning and quality of life of women. Healthcare professionals must not only consider the biological aspects but also the psychological and social aspects.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Lichen sclerosus (LS) affects the female anogenital area, causing anatomical changes. Reported symptoms include itching, soreness and dyspareunia.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of life and sexual functioning in women with LS.
METHODS
METHODS
In total, 158 women aged over 18 years, diagnosed with LS, and referred to North Denmark Regional Hospital from January 2018 to November 2019, were included. Three questionnaires, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the World Health Organization Five-Item Well-Being Index (WHO-5), were completed.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The women (mean age 47 years, range 18-76) presented a low score on all FSFI scales, with a mean score of 13.83 (95% CI 12.46-15.20), indicating reduced sexual functioning. The subgroup evaluation scored for desire 2.32, arousal 2.23, lubrication 2.39, orgasm 2.28, satisfaction 3.02 and pain 1.59. The DLQI results revealed a mean score of 7.88 (95% CI 7.02-8.74), indicating a moderate effect on the women's everyday life. The mean subscores were treatment 0.32, sexual difficulties 1.56, relations 1.02, work/study 0.34, sport 0.45, social activities 0.54, clothing 0.89, shopping 0.22, embarrassment 0.99 and itching, soreness and pain 1.55. The mean score for the WHO-5 was 56.66 (95% CI 53.48-59.84) indicating that 40% of the women had signs of depression.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
LS has a considerable influence on the sexual functioning and quality of life of women. Healthcare professionals must not only consider the biological aspects but also the psychological and social aspects.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
343-350Informations de copyright
© 2021 British Association of Dermatologists.
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