Nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis may be correlated with erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual function in both men and women, according to a recent study.
Investigators conducted a case-control study at The Second Hospital of Shandong University to examine the association between nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and sexual dysfunction. In the study, published in the Journal of Asthma and Allergy, they included 1,034 patients with AR and 422 healthy controls. Nasal symptoms were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, while sexual function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) among male patients and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among female patients.
Led by Hailing Zhang, of the Department of Otolaryngology at The Second Hospital of Shandong University in Jinan, People’s Republic of China, the investigators found that female patients with AR had significantly lower total FSFI scores (63.0, interquartile range [IQR] = 56.0–71.0) compared with controls (72.0, IQR = 51.0–82.0), indicating reduced sexual function. Significant reductions were observed in subjective arousal (13.0, IQR = 7.2–17.0 vs 15.0, IQR = 10.0–17.0), orgasmic function (11.0, IQR = 8.0–13.0 vs 12.0, IQR = 8.0–14.0), and intercourse satisfaction (11.0, IQR = 9.0–13.0 vs 12.0, IQR = 9.0–14.0). Nasal obstruction was negatively correlated with sexual desire (r = −0.3176, P < .0001), subjective arousal (r = −0.2106, P < .0001), orgasmic function (r = −0.6129, P < .0001), intercourse satisfaction (r = −0.3430, P < .0001), and total FSFI scores (r = −0.5233, P < .0001). Dysosmia demonstrated similar correlations, with the strongest association observed for total FSFI scores (r = −0.5436, P < .0001).
In male patients with AR, total IIEF scores were significantly lower compared with in controls (44.0, IQR = 38.0–50.0 vs 49.0, IQR = 33.0–64.0). Erectile function (18.0, IQR = 14.0–21.0 vs 20.0, IQR = 13.0–25.0), sexual desire (5.0, IQR = 3.0–7.0 vs 7.0, IQR = 5.0–9.0), and overall satisfaction (6.0, IQR = 4.0–8.0 vs 8.0, IQR = 4.0–9.0) were significantly reduced. Nasal obstruction was negatively correlated with erectile function (r = −0.8544, P < .0001), orgasmic function (r = −0.3869, P < .0001), sexual desire (r = −0.2772, P < .0001), and total IIEF scores (r = −0.6855, P < .0001). Rhinorrhea correlated with overall satisfaction (r = −0.3711, P < .0001) and total IIEF scores (r = −0.2680, P < .0001), while dysosmia was significantly associated with erectile function (r = −0.5048, P < .0001), orgasmic function (r = −0.2904, P < .0001), sexual desire (r = −0.5607, P < .0001), and total IIEF scores (r = −0.4733, P < .0001).
This study had several limitations that should be considered. The participant pool was drawn from a single otolaryngology department, and some exclusion criteria relied on self-reported questionnaires, which may introduce variability. Additionally, the analysis did not account for factors such as body mass index, comorbidities, or smoking, which could influence sexual function.
The findings indicated a correlation between AR symptoms and sexual dysfunction in both male and female patients. Nasal congestion and dysosmia were strongly associated with sexual dysfunction. The investigators emphasized the need for further investigation to determine whether addressing AR symptoms could be linked to improvements in sexual function and overall quality of life.
The researchers reported no conflicts of interest in this study.