Introduction Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is characterized by reduced sexual appetite and altered psychologic and physiologic response to sexual intercourse; it is reported to be frequent in diabetes mellitus, but no data have been reported in thyroid disorders. Aims To compare the prevalence of FSD in diabetic, in obese, and in hypothyroid women vs. healthy women, and to correlate FSD with endocrine and metabolic profiles. Methods We evaluated, through a questionnaire (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), the prevalence of FSD in 91 women affected by diabetes mellitus, obesity, or hypothyroidism, and in 36 healthy women, all aged 22–51 years and in premenopausal state. Main Outcome Measures FSFI score, endocrine and metabolic parameters (triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, free-triiodothyronine (FT3), free-thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], 17-beta-estradiol, testosterone, glycated hemoglobin 1c (HbA1c), thyroid autoantibodies, E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]), and anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist, blood pressure [BP]). Results A reduced FSFI score was more frequent in diabetic, obese, and hypothyroid women vs. healthy women (P < 0.01). In the different groups of women, FSFI score was inversely correlated (pairwise correlation) with at least one of the following: HbA1c, TSH, LDL-cholesterol, PAI-1, diastolic BP, presence of thyroid Ab, and directly correlated with HDL-cholesterol (always P < 0.05 or less). At stepwise regression analysis, HDL-cholesterol (protective) and HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, PAI-1, and diastolic BP (negatively) predicted reduced FSFI score. Conclusion These data indicate an increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction in diabetic, in obese, and in hypothyroid women, associated with markers of cardiovascular risk.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in morbid obesity clinical and metabolic effects related to weight loss on liver steatosis (LS), measured through chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and liver enzymes. Forty obese subjects (8 M/32 W; BMI 42.8 ± 7.12 kg/m(2), mean ± SD) were evaluated for LS through ultrasound (US-LS), chemical-shift MRI (MRI-LS), liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], anthropometric parameters [weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC)], lipids, insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance test, and body composition [fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) at bio-impedance analysis (BIA)]. Anthropometric measures, MRI-LS, BIA, and biochemical parameters were reevaluated 6 months later in 18 subjects undergoing restrictive bariatric approach, i.e., intragastric balloon (BIB, n = 13) or gastric banding (LAGB, n = 5), and in 13 subjects receiving hypocaloric diet. At baseline, US-LS correlates only with MRI-LS, and the latter correlates with ALT, AST, and GGT. After 6 months, subjects undergoing BIB or LAGB had significant changes of BMI, weight, WC, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, FM, FFM, and MRI-LS. Diet-treated obese subjects had no significant change of any parameter under study; change of BMI, fat mass, and fat-free mass was significantly greater in LAGB/BIB subjects than in diet-treated subjects. Change of MRI-LS showed a significant correlation with changes in weight, BMI, WC, GGT, ALP, and basal MRI-LS. Significant weight loss after BIB or LAGB is associated with decrease in chemical-shift MRI-LS and with reduction in liver enzymes; chemical-shift MRI and liver enzymes allow monitoring of LS in follow-up studies.

Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (ED) requires anamnestic investigation, being rarely spontaneously declared by patients. ED occurs frequently in diabetes mellitus, and anecdotal evidence suggests that ED occurs in obesity and in hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ED in patients affected by thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), in comparison with control subjects and with patients at risk for ED, such as patients with obesity and with type II diabetes mellitus, and the role of age. Spontaneous deposition and International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF)-5 questionnaire were considered for control subjects and for all patients. Spontaneous deposition of ED occurred for three diabetic patients, never for obese patients, thyroid patients and controls, confirming the value of IIEF-5 in detecting ED. ED was more frequent in obese subjects (42%), and in patients affected by thyroid diseases (59%), than in controls (30%), although less frequent than in type II diabetes mellitus (81%). Both below and above the age of 50 years, ED score was worse in thyroid patients than in control subjects, while ED was more frequent in obese patients than in control subjects only below the age of 50 years.