Quality of Life, Sexual Functioning and Chronic Disease: A Comparative Study with Portuguese Women without Chronic Disease, and Women with Diabetes Type 1 and 2, and Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Aims: Previous research has focused on the impact of chronic diseases on men's sexual functioning and quality of life; however, little is known about the association between chronic disease and women’s sexual functioning and quality of life. Current study aimed at exploring the differences in quality of life and sexual functioning between women without chronic disease, and women with type 1 diabetes, with type 2 diabetes, and with arterial hypertension.

Methods: A web-survey was completed by 313 Portuguese women (167 without chronic disease, 48 with type 1 diabetes, 48 with type 2 diabetes, and 50 with arterial hypertension).

Results: Women without chronic disease scored significantly higher than women with chronic disease in quality of life and sexual functioning, adjusting for age.

Conclusions: Quality of life and sexual functioning in women with chronic diseases is impaired.

Keywords:

• Arterial hypertension
• chronic disease
• diabetes mellitus
• quality of life
• women sexual functioning

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.