Association between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction: current evidence

• Published in: Annals of medicine (Helsinki) Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 946 - 953
• Main Authors: Liang, Xin, Guo, Fei, Cai, Xiaoce, Wang, Jiao, Chen, Jiale, Liu, Li, Chen, Yan, Liu, Fang, Du, Yuhua, Li, Lei, Li, Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.12.2023; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: ASEX; AVFSFI; China - epidemiology; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Male; meta-analysis; sexual dysfunction; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - etiology; Vitiligo; Vitiligo - complications; China; meta-analysis; AVFSFI; Vitiligo; sexual dysfunction; ASEX
• ISSN: 0785-3890; 1365-2060
• DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2182906

We discovered that vitiligo was associated with sexual dysfunction in clinical diagnosis and treatment; however, no further analysis had been performed due to a lack of data. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction. We searched six databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform) for nearly 40 years. According to the search strategy, 91 relevant studies were retrieved, of which 4 were included in the analysis. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) score (mean difference [MD] 4.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.78-7.13, p < 0.00001) was higher in the vitiligo group than in the control group. The Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (AVFSFI) score (mean difference [MD] − 3.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] − 5.49 to −1.31, p = 0.001) was lower in the vitiligo group than in the control group. Patients with vitiligo were found to be at greater risk of sexual dysfunction. Moreover, the association between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction was stronger in women than in men. Key Messages Patients with vitiligo were found to be at greater risk of sexual dysfunction. The association between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction was stronger in women than in men.