Introduction:

The female sex has been systematically identified as one of the predictors of poor quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. However, the relationship between quality of life and sexual function in women with cirrhosis has not been widely studied.

Aim:

To determine the relationship between quality of life and sexual function in women with cirrhosis.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional observational study. Female patients aged 18 to 69 years were included. The SF-36-V2 survey assessed health-related quality of life, and the IFSF-6 evaluated sexual function. Univariate and multivariate linear regression was used to identify the relationship between quality of life and sexual function. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05.

Results:

36 patients were available for analysis. The average age was 61 years. In the SF36-V2 survey, the physical component summary mean was 58, and the mental component summary mean was 56. The IFSF-6 had an average of 10. Sexual dysfunction occurred in 80% of patients. The IFSF-6 score was positively related to health-related quality of life. Factors associated with the deterioration of sexual function were age and menopause. The Child-Pugh score and body mass index were the main determinants of health-related quality of life.

Conclusions:

Sexual function could be a determinant of quality of life in women with cirrhosis.

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