Diabetes Care 25:672-677, 2002
© 2002 by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.
Clinical Care/Education/Nutrition Original Article |
Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Type 1 Diabetes
A controlled study
Paul Enzlin, MA1,2,
Chantal Mathieu, MD, PHD3,
Annick Van den Bruel, MD3,
Jan Bosteels, MD4,
Dirk Vanderschueren, MD, PHD2,5 and
Koen Demyttenaere, MD, PHD1,2
1 Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
2 Institute of Family and Sexuality Studies, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium
3 Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
4 Department of Gynaecology, Imeldaziekenhuis, Bonheiden, Belgium
5 Department of Andrology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to 1) examine the prevalence of sexual problems in women with type 1 diabetes, 2) compare this prevalence rate with that of an age-matched control group, 3) study the influence of diabetes-related somatic factors on female sexuality, and 4) study the influence of psychological variables on the sexual functioning of both groups.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 120 women with diabetes visiting the outpatient diabetes clinic completed questionnaires evaluating psychological adjustment to diabetes, marital satisfaction, depression, and sexual functioning. Medical records were used to obtain data on HbA1c, use of medication, BMI, and early-onset microvascular complications. An age-matched control group of 180 healthy women attending an outpatient gynecological clinic for preventive routine gynecological assessment also completed the nondiabetes-related questionnaires.
RESULTSMore women with diabetes than control subjects reported sexual dysfunction (27 vs. 15%; P = 0.04), but a significant difference was found only for decreased lubrication. No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, BMI, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, use of medication, menopausal status, or complications. Women with more complications, however, reported significantly more sexual dysfunctions, and the presence of complications altered treatment satisfaction. Both diabetic and control women with sexual dysfunction mentioned lower overall quality of the marital relation and more depressive symptoms than their respective counterparts without sexual problems. Depression was a significant predictor for sexual dysfunction in both women with diabetes and control subjects.
CONCLUSIONSSexual problems are frequent in women with diabetes. They affect the overall quality of life and deserve more attention in clinical practice and research.
Abbreviations: ADS, Appraisal of Diabetes Scale ATT19, Diabetes Integration Scale BDI, Beck Depression Inventory DAS, Dyadic Adjustment Scale mwU, Mann-Whitney U test UKU, Udvalg for Kliniske Undersoegelser

CiteULike Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. B. Sabone
The Illness Demands of Diabetes on Couples in Botswana
Journal of Family Nursing,
August 1, 2008;
14(3):
363 - 382.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. M. Abu Ali, R. M. Al Hajeri, Y. S. Khader, N. S. Shegem, and K. M. Ajlouni
Sexual Dysfunction in Jordanian Diabetic Women
Diabetes Care,
August 1, 2008;
31(8):
1580 - 1581.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. DeLamater and S. M. Moorman
Sexual Behavior in Later Life
J Aging Health,
December 1, 2007;
19(6):
921 - 945.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Salonia, R. Lanzi, M. Scavini, M. Pontillo, E. Gatti, G. Petrella, G. Licata, R. E. Nappi, E. Bosi, A. Briganti, et al.
Sexual Function and Endocrine Profile in Fertile Women With Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes Care,
February 1, 2006;
29(2):
312 - 316.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. S. Brown, H. Wessells, M. B. Chancellor, S. S. Howards, W. E. Stamm, A. E. Stapleton, W. D. Steers, S. K. Van Den Eeden, and K. T. McVary
Urologic Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes Care,
January 1, 2005;
28(1):
177 - 185.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Enzlin, C. Mathieu, and K. Demytteanere
Diabetes and Female Sexual Functioning: A State-of-the-Art
Diabetes Spectr,
October 1, 2003;
16(4):
256 - 259.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Enzlin, C. Mathieu, A. Van den Bruel, D. Vanderschueren, and K. Demyttenaere
Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes Care,
February 1, 2003;
26(2):
409 - 414.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Nicolosi, D. B Glasser, G. Brock, E. Laumann, and C. Gingell
Diabetes and sexual function in older adults: results of an international survey
The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease,
July 1, 2002;
2(4):
336 - 339.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. Jovanovic
Finally, It Is Our Turn!
Diabetes Care,
April 1, 2002;
25(4):
787 - 788.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2002 by the American Diabetes Association.
|
|
| |
|