Relationship between sexual function and marital satisfaction with quality of life-related gestational diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) that may affect the women’s quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the relationship between women’s sexual function and marital satisfaction with GDM-related quality of life and its dimensions. Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 168 women with GDM. The participants were recruited using a multi-stage sampling method from the maternal care centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran-Iran. The data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the standard GDM-related quality of life questionnaire (GDMQoL-36), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Enrich's Marital Satisfaction questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using SPSS-23 software and statistical tests such as Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. Results: The average women’s age and the gestational age were 31.79±6.64 years and 30.73±6.11 weeks, respectively. The average scores for GDMQoL, FSFI, and marital satisfaction were 55.43±8.67 (ranging 0-100), 19.95±11.43, and 34.45±9.13, respectively. Female Sexual dysfunction (FSD) was observed in 62.5 percent of the participants. The total score of GDMQoL and the “Perceived constraints” dimension had a significant positive correlation with the total score of FSFI and its all domains. There were also significant positive correlations between the total score of GDMQoL with Enrich's marital satisfaction. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the total score of GDMQoL with age, weight, duration of marriage, adequacy of monthly income, husband's occupation, and history of GDM. Multiple linear regression revealed that sexual function and marital satisfaction are the potential predictors of GDMQoL. Conclusion: Sexual function and marital satisfaction are related to the GDM-related quality of life of women. Therefore, improving sexual function and marital satisfaction should be considered for improving GDM-related quality of life in health care policies.