NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Over one third of women with type 1 diabetes have some form of sexual dysfunction, according to a study published in the May issue of Diabetes Care.

The results also suggest that depression is a key predictor of sexual dysfunction in this patient population. Marital status also significantly influences the risk, but in contrast to what has been shown in men, diabetic complications do not have a significant impact.

The findings stem from an analysis of data from 652 women who participated in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, a North American research project featuring men and women with type 1 diabetes.

At 10 years, the subjects completed a sexual function questionnaire and underwent physical examination, laboratory testing, and mood evaluation.

Thirty-five percent of women had sexual dysfunction, lead author Dr. Paul Enzlin, from Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, and colleagues note. Problems reported by these women included loss of libido by 57%, problems with orgasm by 51%, reduced lubrication by 47%, reduced arousal by 38%, and pain by 21%.

On initial analysis, FSD was linked to older age, not being married, postmenopausal status, microvasculopathy, and depression. After accounting for potential confounders, only depression and marital status were significantly linked to sexual dysfunction.