Celiac disease associated with Sexual dysfunction in males as well as females: Study

Italy: A significant proportion of patients with celiac disease (CD) have sexual dysfunction (SD), finds a recent study published in the journal Andrology. In this clinical setting, early age at diagnosis and high BMI may predict SD. This implies that the initial evaluation of CD patients should include a sexual function assessment in order to establish a prompt diagnosis and early treatment.

In patients with chronic illnesses, sexual function is said to be often impaired. Several patients with chronic gastrointestinal and liver disorders have been reported to suffer from sexual dysfunction, and celiac disease is a highly prevalent gastroenterological disorder. Biagio Barone, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy, and colleagues, therefore, aimed to investigate the sexual function incidence and the risk factors for SD in both male and female CD patients.

The study saw participation from two hundred and eighty-four patients (170 females, 114 males) in an anonymous manner. FSFI questionnaire was used to assess the female sexual function. Recording of clinical-demographic variables was also done. Differences in the patient-reported outcomes among the different subgroups and the presence of clinic-demographic predictors of SD in the setting were investigated. The main outcome was the prevalence and assessment of sexual dysfunction in CD patients.