A Study on Sexual Function, Sexual Stress, and Quality of Life in Middle Aged Women Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among sexual function, sexual stress, and quality of life inmiddle aged women patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 154 middle aged women patient with diabetesmellitus in one hospital. Results Themean sexual function score was 12.99±9.11. There were statistically significant differences in sexual function according to age, level of education, employment status, time of being diagnosed with diabetesmellitus, number of complications, self-monitoring of blood glucose,menopausal status, and level of glycosylated hemoglobin. Themean sexual stress score was 26.99±16.88. The score of quality of life was 79.12±14.30. There were statistically significant differences in quality of life according to level of education. Sexual function was negatively correlated with sexual stress (r=-.46 p<.001) and positively correlated with quality of life (r=.32, p<.001), while sexual stress was negatively correlated with quality of life (r=-.36 p<.001). Conclusion Higher sexual dysfunction in middle aged women patients with diabetes mellitus was correlated with lower sexual stress and improved quality of life, while lower sexual stress was correlated with improved quality of life. 주요어: ì¤‘ë „ì—¬ì„±, 당뇨병, 성기능, 성 ìŠ¤íŠ¸ë ˆìŠ¤, 삶의 질 Key words: Middle age, Women, Diabetes mellitus, Sexual function, Quality of life