Evaluation of sexual function and depression in married women with interstitial lung diseases

Background Little is known about female sexual function and interstitial lung disease (ILD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate sexual function and depression in married women with ILD. Patients and methods Of the 65 participants enrolled, 45 patients with ILD fulfilled the inclusion criteria, comprising 12 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 25 with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial pneumonias, eight patients with other interstitial pneumonias. Moreover, 20 age-matched normal individuals were recruited as controls. All participants were evaluated for clinical data, including age, BMI, comorbidities, duration of ILD, usage of glucocorticoids (dose and duration), and number of exacerbation within the past year. All women fulfilled the female sexual function index (FSFI) and Beck depression inventory. Results The mean age of the ILD group was 40.4 +/- 8.9 years. Overall, 33.3% were hypertensive and 53.3% had pulmonary hypertension, whereas diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were found in 26.6 and 15.5%, respectively. The mean duration since diagnosis of ILD and using glucocorticoids was 8.46 +/- 2.77 and 9.23 +/- 2.31 years. No differences in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were observed. There was a significant decrease in mean diffusion capacity (diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide) (61.8 +/- 7.10 vs. 68.7 +/- 6.86%) when compared with control (P=0.000*). Using FSFI, there was a significant decrease in global FSFI score and each domain in patients with ILD as compared with control (P=0.000*). The overall prevalence of depression was 80%. Correlation was found between total FSFI and disease duration, duration of glucocorticoids and dosage (>= 20 mg), and depression (Beck depression inventory). Conclusion Despite mild impairment in pulmonary function, female patients with ILD have reported sexual dysfunction and increased depression. Thus, physicians should be reminded that patients with ILD need a comprehensive evaluation for sexual function.