The association between fibromyalgia and female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Female sexuality in patients with fibromyalgia has received little attention in the literature, and published data have mainly relied upon a small sample size with evident heterogeneity. Our aim was to pool the observational studies on the association between fibromyalgia and sexual dysfunction in female patients to reach a more comprehensive and reliable result. The literature search comprised of Pubmed-Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases. The relevant studies that met the inclusion criteria were gathered and the pooled effect size was calculated. The standard mean difference of the global sexual function score as well as the sub-items scores were calculated using the random-effect size model. Sensitivity analysis was conducted. Publication bias was assessed using Funnel plots and Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation tests. The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the MOOSE guideline. The six selected studies contained 919 participants (ranging from 51 to 362). Of those, 578 were patients with fibromyalgia, and 341 were the controls. While four studies evaluated the sexual function using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire, two used changes in the sexual functioning questionnaire (CSFQ). Patients with fibromyalgia had a decreased total sexual function score [(-5.02 (-7.58 to -2.46), p < 0.0001; Q = 664.28; p-value for heterogeneity = p < 0.0001; I2 = 99.24%)]. All sexual response cycle domains including desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, lubrication, and satisfaction were found detrimental in patients with fibromyalgia compared with the healthy controls. For the sensitivity analysis, omitting any one of the six studies did not produce a significant difference in the original pooled summary effect size. Our meta-analysis provided a clear association between female sexual dysfunction and fibromyalgia, suggesting patients with fibromyalgia should be assessed regarding sexual health, although further, well designed longitudinal studies are needed to establish the causality between fibromyalgia and female sexual dysfunction.

Assessment of Palliative Care in Lung Cancer in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the symptoms of lung cancer in Turkey and to evaluate approaches to alleviate these symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 1,245 lung cancer patients from 26 centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics as well as information regarding the disease and treatments were obtained from medical records and patient interviews. Symptoms were evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and were graded on a scale between 0 and 10 points. Data were compared using the χ2, Student t, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Potential predictors of symptoms were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The most common symptom was tiredness (n = 1,002; 82.1%), followed by dyspnea (n = 845; 69.3%), appetite loss (n = 801; 65.7%), pain (n = 798; 65.4%), drowsiness (n = 742; 60.8%), anxiety (n = 704; 57.7%), depression (n = 623; 51.1%), and nausea (n = 557; 45.5%). Of the 1,245 patients, 590 (48.4%) had difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep. The symptoms were more severe in stages III and IV. Logistic regression analysis indicated a clear association between demographic characteristics and symptom distress, as well as between symptom distress (except nausea) and well-being. Overall, 804 (65.4%) patients used analgesics, 630 (51.5%) received treatment for dyspnea, 242 (19.8%) used enteral/parenteral nutrition, 132 (10.8%) used appetite stimulants, and 129 (10.6%) used anxiolytics/antidepressants. Of the 799 patients who received analgesics, 173 (21.7%) reported that their symptoms were under control, and also those on other various treatment modalities (dyspnea: 78/627 [12.4%], appetite stimulant: 25/132 [18.9%], and anxiolytics/antidepressants: 25/129 [19.4%]) reported that their symptoms were controlled. CONCLUSION: In this study, the symptoms progressed and became more severe in the advanced stages of lung cancer, and palliative treatment was insufficient in most of the patients in Turkey.