Association between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction: current evidence

Xin Liang; Fei Guo; Xiaoce Cai; Jiao Wang; Jiale Chen; Li Liu; Yan Chen; Fang Liu; Yuhua Du; Lei Li; Xin Li

doi:10.1080/07853890.2023.2182906

Association between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction: current evidence

Ann Med. 2023 Dec;55(1):946-953. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2182906.

Authors

Xin Liang¹, Fei Guo², Xiaoce Cai^{2

3}, Jiao Wang^{2

3}, Jiale Chen^{2

3}, Li Liu¹, Yan Chen¹, Fang Liu¹, Yuhua Du¹, Lei Li¹, Xin Li^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Chinese medicine department, Songnan Town Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
³ Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Background: 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.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between vitiligo and sexual dysfunction.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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 MessagesPatients 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.

Keywords: ASEX; AVFSFI; Vitiligo; meta-analysis; sexual dysfunction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

China / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / epidemiology
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / etiology
Vitiligo* / complications

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai [grant no. 19ZR1458700], Shanghai Pujiang Program [grant no. 2020PJD067], and Science and Technology Commission of Baoshan District, Shanghai Medical Health Project [grant no. 21-E-33].