Do indicators for DSM-5 sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder overlap? Evidence from the Hamburg City Health Study population-based sample.

Background: Symptoms of sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder may resemble each other in their presentation as lasting and distressing alterations of expected bodily "functioning"; their co-occurrence has not yet been studied in nonclinical settings or by DSM-5 criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition).

Aim: To investigate (1) the association of indicators consistent with DSM-5 sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder diagnoses, (2) whether individuals with different sexual dysfunction diagnoses differ in somatic symptoms and their perception, and (3) whether distress from sexual difficulties is related to somatic symptoms and symptom perception.

Methods: We examined links among sexual dysfunctions/distress from sexual difficulties (Brief Questionnaire on Sexuality), somatic symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-15 [PHQ-15]), and symptom perception (Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale) in 9333 participants of the Hamburg City Health Study aged 45 to 74 years. For a sensitivity analysis, we repeated all analyses after excluding an item on sexual difficulties from the PHQ-15 score.

Outcomes: Outcomes included scores on the Brief Questionnaire on Sexuality indicating sexual difficulties and dysfunction according to DSM-5, PHQ-15 for somatic symptom severity, and Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale for symptom perception.

Results: Indicators consistent with DSM-5 sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder diagnoses were linked (P = .24) before the sensitivity analysis but not after. Individuals with different sexual dysfunction diagnoses did not differ in their somatic symptom severity or their symptom perception. Distress from sexual difficulties was weakly correlated with somatic symptom severity (after sensitivity analysis: ρ = .19, P = .01) and symptom perception (ρ = .21, P = .01). Both correlations were stronger for men than for women.

Clinical implications: Our results convey that it is worth exploring sexual difficulties and somatic symptom disorder in patients presenting with either complaint but also that sexual difficulties should still be regarded as an independent phenomenon.

Strengths and limitations: Our sample consisted of participants from one metropolitan region who were >45 years of age and thus does not demographically represent the general population. Assessing via self-report questionnaires may have influenced the reporting of symptoms, as may have prevailing shame around experiencing sexual dysfunction. The final sample size was reduced by missing values from some questionnaires. Despite these limitations, sample sizes for all analyses were large and offer meaningful new observations on the subject.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that indicators for sexual dysfunction and somatic symptom disorder somewhat overlap but still represent distinct phenomena and should be treated accordingly in research and clinical practice.