Sexual Dysfunction in Female Scleroderma Patients and Its Correlation with Vascular Involvement

Objectives: Investigating the sexual dysfunction in scleroderma patients and its relation to their vascular involvements. Method: A case control study was done on 80 married female scleroderma patients with age between 20-60 years old. Eighty normal individuals adjusted for age, place of living and socioeconomic status were also recruited. Sexual performance in both groups was assessed using FSFI standardized questionnaire, which evaluated it in 6 domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Micro and macro-vascular involvements of the patients were also determined using Raynaud Condition Score, Echocardiography, physical exam for assessing their digital ulcers and reviewing their medical records for past or present history of renal crisis and thromboembolic events. Results: The total score of FSFI in the case group was significantly lower compared to control one (16.68 ± 6.35, 19.69 ± 6.01, P-value