Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with pulmonary hypertension and associated factors

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive, and disabling disease, however, there is little knowledge about impaired sexual function in this population.

Aim: To identify the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and the association between sexual dysfunction level and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 71 women diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension without signs of clinical decompensation was carried out. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and functional capacity was assessed by 6-minute walk test. The relationships between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with sexual function was performed using statistical tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: 71.8% of patients self-reported sexual dysfunction as indicated as a score of <26.55 points on FSFI. Women with sexual dysfunction were older, higher average age of their last menstruation, had worse functional class, shorter distance covered and worse Borg score at the end of the 6-minute walk test.

Conclusion: There is evident impairment of sexual function self-reported by women with pH and the association of this condition with a decline in functional capacity was identified.

Keywords: Nursing; Pulmonary hypertension; Sexual function.