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.
The study led to the following findings:
In the female group, 50% had a total score compatible with sexual dysfunction: 61.42 % showed low desire, 46.47 % showed arousal disorder, 38.82 % lubrication disorder, 49.41 % inability of obtaining an orgasm. Also, a large proportion of the female patients, 94.70 %, showed sexual discomfort during intercourse.
In the male group, 62.2% showed scores compatible with normal erectile function, 7.01% had mild erectile dysfunction, 21.05% had mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, and 2.63% presented severe erectile dysfunction.
Altered BMI was significantly associated with SD both in male and female patients.
Early age at diagnosis was a significant predictor of SD in male CD patients.
"Assessment of sexual function should be part of the initial evaluation of CD patients in order to establish a prompt diagnosis and early treatment," wrote the authors.
Reference:
Romano L, Pellegrino R, Sciorio C, Barone B, Gravina AG, Santonastaso A, Mucherino C, Astretto S, Napolitano L, Aveta A, Pandolfo SD, Loizzo D, Giudice FD, Ferro M, Imbimbo C, Romano M, Crocetto F. Erectile and sexual dysfunction in male and female patients with celiac disease: A cross-sectional observational study. Andrology. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1111/andr.13186. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35419983.