Affiliations 

  • 1 Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Biostatistics Unit, National Clinical Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Psychol Health Med, 2020 Oct 12.
PMID: 33044840 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2020.1831557

Abstract

The impact of psoriasis on quality of life may have implications for the sexual function of patients. We aimed to determine the frequency of sexual difficulties and associated factors among adult patients with psoriasis. This cross-sectional study involved 13 673 patients notified to the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry. Sexual function was defined based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Sexual difficulties were reported among 9.5% of subjects with significant predictors identified as younger age, male gender, married status, ethnicity, nail involvement, face and neck involvement and severity of disease. Smokers were more likely to report experiencing sexual difficulties. However, the presence of either ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or dyslipidemia was associated with lower odds of sexual issues due to psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of factors associated with sexual health in psoriasis to implement targeted interventions. Further studies need to be conducted to delineate the different aspects of sexual function and the magnitude of the problem.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.