NEW research suggests that sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among women with Sjögren’s syndrome, affecting nearly four in five patients and significantly impacting quality of life.
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune condition characterised by dryness of mucosal surfaces, fatigue, and systemic involvement. While symptoms such as dry eyes and mouth are well recognised, the impact on sexual health remains underexplored and often overlooked in clinical practice.
High Prevalence Across Multiple Domains
In this cross-sectional study, researchers evaluated 158 women with Sjögren’s syndrome treated at three tertiary hospitals in Beijing. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index, alongside clinical, psychological, and socioeconomic data.
Overall, 78.5% of participants met criteria for female sexual dysfunction. Women in the affected group were generally older and had longer disease duration, with a markedly higher proportion aged 40 years or older.
Multiple aspects of sexual function were impaired. The majority of patients reported reduced libido, difficulty with arousal and vaginal lubrication, and decreased sexual satisfaction. Orgasmic dysfunction and pain during intercourse were also commonly reported, highlighting the broad and multifactorial nature of the problem.
Independent Association with Disease
Importantly, the association between Sjögren’s syndrome and sexual dysfunction remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including medication use, psychological status, and socioeconomic factors. This suggests that disease-related mechanisms, such as mucosal dryness, chronic inflammation, and fatigue, may play a direct role.
The findings reinforce that sexual dysfunction in Sjögren’s syndrome is not solely attributable to external factors but is likely an intrinsic component of the disease burden.
A Neglected Aspect of Care
Despite its high prevalence, sexual health is rarely addressed in routine rheumatology consultations. The authors emphasise that failure to recognise and manage sexual dysfunction may contribute to reduced overall well-being and relationship strain.
Early identification, patient education, and targeted interventions, including symptom management and psychological support, may help improve outcomes for affected patients.
Implications for Practice
The study highlights the need for clinicians to adopt a more holistic approach to Sjögren’s syndrome, incorporating sexual health into routine assessment. While further research is needed to explore effective interventions, acknowledging and addressing this aspect of the disease represents an important step toward improving patient-centred care.
