Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with sexual dysfunction regardless of physical activity status: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a rheumatic disorder that has been observed to affect self-perception of sexuality. The study aims to assess sexual dysfunction (SD), establish possible associations with SD levels, and evaluate the impact of physical activity (PA) levels on SD in Spanish women with FMS as compared with healthy control women. The study was cross-sectional. A total of 170 women voluntarily agreed to participate between September 2019 and February 2020: 88 in the FMS group and 82 in the control group. The main outcome measures were SD, as assessed through the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and PA levels, as assessed with a structured interview. There were significant differences in every domain and total SD score between the FMS and control groups (P < .05). In addition, we obtained a moderate significant direct association (χ2[1] = 37.071, P < .05, phi = 0.467) when exploring the associations between FMS and risk of SD. Results showed statistically significant differences between the FMS group and the control group when PA levels were not reached in the desire, pain, and total scores of the FSFI (P < .05). When the PA levels were reached, between-group differences were found in all domains, as well as in the total score of the FSFI (P < .05). Sexual function should be evaluated in women with FMS, while future treatments should address this clinical area with the aim of managing SD in this population. The main limitation is that the outcome measures were self-reported. We found a high prevalence of SD in Spanish women with FMS, with an impact on aspects such as desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain during sexual intercourse. In addition, there is a moderate direct association between FMS and SD. Ultimately, the results showed that, irrespective of PA, women with FMS reported increased SD.