(P22) sexual health among women with diabetes mellitus: a nested case control study

Abstract Background Diabetes Mellitus is a global health challenge that disproportionately affects women, particularly in terms of prevalence, complications, and social impacts. Diabetes affects women across the MENA region, leading to significant cardiovascular and neurological complications that may impact female sexual function, similar to its effects in men. This study aims to explore the association between diabetes mellitus and female sexual function. Methods We conducted a nested case–control study where the cases were self-reported women with diabetes mellitus and controls were self-reported healthy women matched for age, medical history, and relationship status. Data was collected through an online self-administered questionnaire. The sexual function was assessed through Arabic and French-validated translations of the Female Sexual Function Index. Female sexual dysfunction is defined by an FSFI score ≤ 26.55. Results We included 60 participants: 20 females with diabetes compared to 40 healthy controls. The main socio-demographic components were similar between groups. The mean age of the participants was 29.28 ± 5.84, ranging from 21 to 42. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction among diabetic patients was not statistically different compared to the controls (p = 0.855). Neither group had a statistical difference regarding the total FSFI score (p = 0.825). There was also no difference between the groups regarding the six FSFI domains’ scores: Desire, Orgasm, Excitation, Lubrication, Pain, and Satisfaction. Conclusion This case–control study shows no difference in terms of sexual function between diabetic and healthy young women. Although the literature may suggest that diabetes is associated with altered sexual health, this link is multifactorial. It depends on diabetes-related complications rather than the disease itself, which could explain the lack of evidence for this in our relatively young population. Due to the small sample size, subgroup analysis according to the stages of diabetes could not be performed.