Mental wellbeing and quality of sexual life in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome are related to circulating dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate

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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 (rs=0.62; prs=0.52; prs=0.66; prs=0.60; prs=0.62; prs=0.64; prs=0.67; prs=0.67; pConclusions: Circulating levels of the weak androgen DHEA-S are positively related to the quality of sexual life and mental wellbeing in women with pSS.