Is A One-Question Visual Analog Scale A Screening Tool That Can Be Used to Assess Female Sexual Dysfunction Before Implementing A Female Sexual Function Index?

Abstract

Objective: To validate the use of a single-question visual analog scale assessing sexual dysfunction as a screening tool before implementing the female sexual function index (FSFI). Materials and Methods: The study included 141 sexually active women over 18 years of age who were diagnosed with OAB or UI. A female sexual function-visual analog scale (FSF-VAS) was defined and developed as a one-question form in which participants were asked to mark their sexual function on a 10 cm visual analog scale. The cut-off values for the FSF-VAS in predicting FSD were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Youden’s index. Results: A positive, moderately strong correlation was found between the FSFI score and FSF-VAS (rs=0.741). We found a cut-off value for FSF-VAS as 5.95 for in predicting both FSFI score of <25 [area under the curve (AUC) (confidence interval (CI) 95%): 0.886 (0.827-0.945)] and FSFI score of <26.55 [AUC (CI 95%): 0.893 (0.834-0.952)]. FSF-VAS value was below 5.95 in 82 of 141 (58.1%) patients who participated in the study. Conclusion: Using the FSFI for only those with a FSF-VAS score of 5.95 or lower will reduce the clinician’s Workload save time, and also spare patients from the embarrassment caused by the questions in the FSFI.