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Effects of low sleep quality on sexual function, in women with fibromyalgia

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 28, pages 46–49 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is a common experience in women with fibromyalgia. However, the physiopathology of this association is unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether sleep disturbance has an influence on sexual function in women with fibromyalgia. Fifty-four sexually active premenopausal women with fibromyalgia were enrolled in the study. The following questionnaires were used: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Appropriate statistical analyses were used by using SPSS 18. The mean FSFI score was 25.344±6.52 and showed no correlation with age, body mass index, BDI or duration of fibromyalgia. However, a positive correlation between sexual dysfunction and low sleep quality was found (r=0.43; P=0.001). In addition, the median FSFI score was 29.2 (27.2–32.4) in patients with higher sleep quality (PSQI⩽5), whereas it was 21.4 (18.9–25.3) in patients with lower sleep quality (PSQI>5) (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between sexual dysfunction and symptoms of fibromyalgia as indicated by a higher FIQ score (r= 0.37; P=0.006). Sexual dysfunction in female patients with fibromyalgia may be due to low sleep quality. Treatment of the sleep disorder may improve female sexual function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey

    A S Amasyali, E Kazan & H Erol

  2. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey

    E Taştaban & Y Turan

  3. Department of Algology, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey

    S Y Amasyali

  4. Department of Urology, Balikesir University School of Medicine, Balikesir, Turkey

    E Sari

  5. Department of Urology, Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Goztepe Kadikoy, Istanbul

    B Erol

  6. Department of Biostatistics, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey

    M Cengiz

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  1. A S Amasyali
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Correspondence to A S Amasyali.

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Amasyali, A., Taştaban, E., Amasyali, S. et al. Effects of low sleep quality on sexual function, in women with fibromyalgia. Int J Impot Res 28, 46–49 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2015.31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2015.31

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