Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42889866›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of women's health2026

Sexual Dysfunction and Associated Factors in Iranian Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Mahdieh Kiani, Shadab Shahali, Fazlollah Ahmadi, Ali Montazeri, Zahra Mirfeizi

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Article in International journal of women's health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Mahdieh KianiDepartment of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.ORCID 0000-0002-9162-9298
Shadab ShahaliDepartment of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.ORCID 0000-0003-0421-9504
Fazlollah AhmadiDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Ali MontazeriHealth Metrics Research Center, Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.ORCID 0000-0002-5198-9539
Zahra MirfeiziRheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent yet under-investigated dimension of quality of life in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its associated demographic, reproductive, and SLE-related clinical factors among Iranian women with SLE. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled women with SLE recruited from private rheumatology practices in two Iranian cities between December 2025 and June 2026. Data were collected via a clinical-demographic questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Of 116 recruited women, 97 participants were included in the final analysis. Univariable and multivariable (backward elimination) linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with total and subdomain FSFI scores. Results: The mean (±SD) age of participants was 39.31 (±8.11) years, and sexual dysfunction was identified in 68 of 97 women (70.1%). Arousal 2.65 (±0.59) and desire 3.02 (±1.16) were the most impaired domains, while pain 5.06 (±1.08) was the least affected. In multivariable analysis, active lupus showed the strongest association with poorer sexual function, with significantly lower total FSFI scores (β=-5.33; 95% CI: -6.83, -3.82; P<0.001) and all subdomains (P≤0.009). Longer disease duration and older age at SLE diagnosis were independently associated with lower total, arousal, and satisfaction scores. Current infertility in a small subgroup (n=11/97), higher intercourse frequency, and unemployment were associated with better sexual outcomes in specific domains, while higher parity and chronic comorbidities were associated with worse orgasm and pain scores, respectively. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among Iranian women with SLE, particularly affecting arousal and desire. Disease activity, duration, and age at diagnosis are independently associated factors. These findings suggest the potential value of integrating routine sexual health assessments into comprehensive SLE care.

Indexed as

cross-sectional studyfemale sexual function indexsexual dysfunctionsystemic lupus erythematosuswomen’s health

Identifiers

PMID42889866
PMCPMC13671409

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