Sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammatory biomarkers in women undergoing coronary angiography

ABSTRACT

We studied sexual dysfunction (SD) prevalence and lack of sexual activity in 117 women undergoing coronary angiography. SD was consistent with a low (≤26.55) Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (FSFI) score. The mean age was 61.8 years (range: 40–75 years). SD prevalence was 76.1% (n = 89), and 41 (35.0%) women reported a lack of sexual activity. Regression analyses showed that only age was independently associated with SD (odds ratio 1.088; 95% confidence interval 1.024–1.157; p = .006) and lack of sexual activity (odds ratio 1.144; 95% confidence interval 1.064–1.230; p < .0001), regardless of cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory biomarkers blood levels, and the number of stenotic coronary arteries.

KEYWORDS:

• Coronary artery disease
• sexual dysfunction
• women

Acknowledgments

This paper is a partial fulfillment of the requirements for a MD thesis for Amit Oren in the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.