Background: Psoriatic disease is prevalent (1-3% of the world population has psoriasis and of these, approximately 30% have arthritis). According to the WHO, sexual dysfunction affects 40.8% of psoriatic patients. Previous Brazilian work found that this prevalence can reach 68% in women. However, despite being very common, sexual difficulties in these patients are rarely described in the literature.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between the Sexual Quotient questionnaires and the International Index of Erectile Function and Female Sexual Function Index questionnaires in psoriasis patients with or without arthritis.

Methods: 120 patients (60 men and 60 women) with psoriatic skin and/or joint disease were evaluated for sexual function using the male and female sexual quotient (SQ) (<62) and the female sexual function index (IFSF - dysfunction sexual function <26.5) and international index of erectile function (IIFE - erectile dysfunction <26). Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test and Pearson's correlation coefficient, to verify the degree of correlation between the variables. The significance criterion was 5%.

Results: There was a decrease in sexual function measured by SQ; IIFE and IFSF in individuals with skin disease (58.5 and 15.25) and/or joint disease (61 and 18.75) with lower values ​​for females (46.50 and 16.55; 44.11 and 18 ,91). (Tables 1 and 2) However, no statistically significant relationship was found between the severity of the skin and/or joint disease and the decrease in sexual function (p<0.05%). The correlation analysis was positive between IIFE and QS. (+0.77, r=0.592) and between IFSF and QS (+0.83, r=0.688).

Conclusion: Reduced sexual function is very prevalent in psoriatic disease. This study demonstrated a strongly positive correlation (not yet published) between the QS and the more complex IIEF and IFSF scores. Considering the sensitivity of the subject for both patients and the care team, we suggest the use of the sexual quotient, as it is a quick, self-administered instrument, with accessible and easy-to-understand language, which covers functional and relational elements relevant to performance/satisfaction sexual relations of both sexes. Assessment of sexual function should be part of routine outpatient care, with the aim of discussing the causes and reducing sexual dysfunction.

Table 1: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the means of sexual quotient

Table 2: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the means of International Erectile Function Index and Female Sexual Function Index

Figure 1: Correlation between Sexual Quotient and International Index of Erectile Function and between Sexual Quotient and Female Sexual Function Index

QS: Sexual Quotient  

IIFE : International Index of Erectile Function

FSFI: Female Sexual Function Index