AB0498 GYNECOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS AND SEXUALITY IN SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Abstract

Background Patients with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) have symptoms such as vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. Objectives In this study we aimed to present of primary SS (pSS) and secondary SS (sSS) patient‘s gynecological symptoms and effects of the disease on sexuality. Methods 60 pSS, 42 sSS, 52 healthy controls (HC) were interviewed. It was asked questions about sexuality, SF-36, HAD scale, pSS and sSS patients were also administered HAQ and Modified Hiil questionnaire¹. Results The mean age of the patients was 52 ± 11 years in the pSS, 54 ± 11years in the sSS and 46 ± 9 years in the HC. Although there was no significant difference in term of age in pSS and sSS groups, mean age was lower in HC group. There were no significant differences in SF-36 mental index score, SF-36 physical index score, HAD-Anxiety score and HAD-Depression score among 3 groups. 62% of patients in the pSS, 79% in the sSS and 33% in HC were in menopause. Vaginal and vulvar dryness were significantly higher in SS, especially in the pSS than HC. The proportion of sexually active women was lower in sSS group. Spontaneous genital pain and dyspareunia were found to be high in pSS and it was statistically significant. Decreased sexual desire was significantly higher in SS groups (Table1). HAQ score was significantly lower in pSS group than sSS group. Dyspareunia, dysuria, vaginal dryness and fatigue were significantly higher in pSS (Table2). There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of the effect of vulvar, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, decreased sexual desire, myalgia, arthralgia and fatigue on sexuality In the pSS group, it was seen that disease had a negative effect on sexuality. There were no significant differences between the two groups when asked whether they enjoyed sexuality and the sexual problems create problems between their partners. In both groups, 97% of patients stated that they had not been questioned about their sexuality before. 80% of pSS patients and 88% of sSS patients stated that they did not talk about sexuality problems. Conclusion Gynecological and sexual problems are seen in SS patients. Menopause also contributes to this situation. Patients should be informed about these problems and directed to gynecologists when necessary, and enough time should be reserved as we do.