Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible effect of androgen status on sexuality and mental wellbeing in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), testosterone (T), androstenedione, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and the SHBG/T ratio were measured in 21 women with pSS. Sexual life was assessed by a Swedish version of the McCoy scale, which covers sexual experience and responsiveness during the past 30 days. A standardised questionnaire, the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB), was used to examine quality of life and psychological symptoms in patients with pSS. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between DHEA-S serum levels and the total McCoy score (r(s)=0.62; p<0.01), as well as the subscales of this score reflecting arousal (0.59; p<0.05), desire (r(s)=0.52; p<0.05), and satisfaction (r(s)=0.66; p<0.01). Serum DHEA-S concentrations were also related to the total PGWB score (r(s)=0.60; p<0.01) and subscales of this score: depression (r(s)=0.62; p<0.01), wellbeing (r(s)=0.64; p<0.01), general health (r(s)=0.67; p<0.01), and self control (r(s)=0.67; p<0.01). Total McCoy and PGWB scores and their subscales were not related to the serum levels of testosterone and androstenedione or the T/SHBG ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of the weak androgen DHEA-S are positively related to the quality of sexual life and mental wellbeing in women with pSS.