Sexual dysfunction prevalent in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Nearly half of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience female sexual dysfunction (FSD), suggesting a link between FSD risk and RA, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Menopause and depression status also significantly correlate with FSD in women with RA.

A team of investigators conducted a search using the databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase from inception through 10 December 2023. They performed random effects meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence of FSD.

Q and I2 tests were used to examine heterogeneity among eligible studies, and subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to detect the sources of heterogeneity. The investigators used odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association between RA and FSD-related risk factors.

Thirteen studies, involving 2,327 participants, met the eligibility criteria. The pooled prevalence of FSD was 49.1 percent (95 percent CI, 38.2‒60) among women with RA, who also showed a higher risk of FSD when compared with controls (OR, 3.10, 95 percent CI, 1.74‒5.53).

Of note, depression status (OR, 1.42, 95 percent CI, 0.88‒2.29) and menopause (OR, 5.46, 95 percent CI, 2.04‒14.63) were significantly associated with FSD in women with RA.

“[Women] with RA had a significantly increased prevalence of FSD, indicating that sexual function in [those] with RA should be concerned by clinicians,” the investigators said.

The study was limited by significant heterogeneity and publication bias among the included studies.