Body Image and Sexuality in Women With and Without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate relationships among sexual dissatisfaction, body image, and physical and psychological functioning in 54 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a demographically similar comparison sample of 29 healthy women. For women with SLE, sexual dissatisfaction was positively correlated with fatigue, depressive symptoms, and feelings of physical attractiveness. No significant differences existed between women with SLE and healthy women with respect to sexual dissatisfaction or body image. Our results suggest that the impact of disease on body image and sexual dissatisfaction are greatest when levels of fatigue and depressive symptoms are high.

Living With Lupus: A Qualitative Report

“…The four themes that were generated from these focus groups confirm and expand on previous literature about the high correlation between depression and SLE (Danoff-Burg & Friedberg, 2009;Mendelson, 2006;Seawell & Danoff-Burg, 2005). However, it is essential to highlight that there is no objective evidence of a clinical diagnosis of depression, but their report of their own feelings; feelings of loss about body functioning, body image, and a sense of exhaustion that feels difficult to explain to others.…”

“…As well, the financial strain noted in this study and several others (Mendelson, 2006;Seawell-Burg & Danoff-Burg, 2005) may also be explained that as a woman's illness, women may experience a very complex role strain caught between motherhood and work responsibilities in ways that males may not typically experience (Karasz & Ouillette, 1995). Another interpretation of the high financial strain associated with this illness is that SLE often strikes with an early onset before one might attain financial solvency and secure health care insurance.…”

“…A key implication from this study was that SLE patients should be assessed early for the likelihood of depressive sequelae. Seawell and Danoff-Burg (2005) studied how body image and sexuality were affected by Lupus in 54 women with SLE and a demographically similar comparison sample of 29 healthy women. For women with SLE, sexual dissatisfaction was positively correlated with fatigue, depressive symptoms, and feelings of physical attractiveness.…”

“…There has been little empirical research identifying the psychosocial experiences and needs of those living with SLE in the United States (Giffords, 2003;Mendelson, 2006). The comprehensive literature review authored by Seawell and Danoff-Burg (2004) cited seven empirical studies that investigated behavioral interventions used in SLE management but only two quantitative studies about the psychosocial challenges and needs of patients living with SLE (Danoff-Burg & Friedberg, 2009;Seawell & Danoff-Burg, 2005). Danoff-Burg and Friedberg (2009) studied the unmet needs of SLE patients (N = 112).…”

Importance of health-related quality of life and its current assessment tools in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Исследование образа тела и сексуальной функции у 54 пациенток с СКВ и сравнение этих данных с аналогичными показателями у 29 здоровых женщин выявило, что нарушение образа тела при СКВ отчетливо связано с депрессией и усталостью. 86% пациенток с СКВ отмечали отсутствие гармонии в интим-ных отношениях, причем 64% из них сообщили о расстрой-стве половой функции [22].…”