Body Image and Sexual Self-confidence in Patients with Chronic Urticaria

Abstract

Body image and sexual life are often adversely affected in patients with chronic urticaria. The number of studies on this topic is limited. We aimed to determine the body image and sexual self-confidence status in patients with chronic urticaria and the relationship between them. In total, 64 patients with chronic urticaria who visited a dermatology clinic were included in the study. Data were collected by using an introductory information form, Sexual Self-confidence Scale, and Multidimensional Body-Self Relationship Scale. Shapiro–Wilk test was employed to assess normal distribution for descriptive statistics; the data were not found to be normally distributed. Therefore, nonparametric statistical tests were employed. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for binary independent variables; Spearman correlation test was used for correlation analysis. Relational hypotheses were tested by simple linear regression analysis; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the patients, 57.8% reported that their sexual life was affected by chronic urticaria. Individuals whose sexual lives were affected had lower body image and sexual self-confidence scores. There was a moderate positive correlation between body image and sexual self-confidence. The predictive effect of body image on sexual self-confidence was 24.5%. According to these results, changes in the bodies of patients diagnosed with chronic urticaria and the changes in body image negatively affect sexual self-confidence, self-disclosure, sexual awareness, and sexual courage. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative studies should be performed on patients with chronic urticaria by considering body image and sexual self-confidence status, and treatment processes should be followed through a multidisciplinary approach.