Plain language summary
Sexual dysfunction has been shown to be closely associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Individuals with these dysfunctions have been shown to have reduced quality of life (QoL), however further research is warranted. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine QoL in 51 women with IBS and sexual dysfunction compared to 54 women without these disorders. The results showed that the presence of IBS did not increase the occurrence of sexual dysfunction. However, the presence of both disorders did decrease QoL and affect physical function, general health, vitality, social function, emotion, and mental health. These effects were especially prominent in women who suffer from the constipation IBS subtype than the unclassified IBS subtype. It was concluded that sexual dysfunction affects the QoL of women with IBS. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that women with IBS may need to be assessed for sexual dysfunction and if found may need additional support to improve their quality of life.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and sexual dysfunction (SxD) lowers quality of life (QOL) separately, but the effect of their overlap in unselected populations has not been studied. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the QOL of IBS women with and without SxD and compare it with controls. METHODS In this cross-sectional assessment, we studied 51 IBS women (Rome IV criteria) and 54 controls. SxD was determined using the female sexual function index questionnaire. QOL was evaluated by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and IBS-QOL questionnaires. RESULTS SxD prevalence was similar between IBS women (39.22%) and controls (38.89%). Compared with other groups, IBS patients with SxD showed lower scores in all domains as well as in the physical, mental summaries of the SF-36 and almost all domains (except for body image, food avoidance, and social reaction compared with IBS patients without SxD) and the total score of IBS-QOL. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that SxD worsens both general and specific QOL of women with IBS. The consideration of SxD in patients with IBS will allow us to make a more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Clinical trial registry in Mexico City General Hospital: DI/19/107/03/080. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT04716738.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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Not applicable
Allocation concealment
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Not applicable
