Abstract
BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disabling joint disease affecting both males and females. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common association with RA. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction in male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.ResultsThe mean age of female patients was 32.1 years and 39.7 years for males. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was higher in RA female patients than controls, 62.1% versus 41.2% respectively (P ≤ 0.05). The prevalence of global sexual dysfunction was higher in RA male patients than controls, 63.8% versus 47.5% respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Predictors of sexual dysfunction in female RA patients were the number of children, BMI, disease duration, DAS score, HADs-D score, HAQ score, VAS score, joint deformity, and the number of drugs. Predictors of sexual dysfunction in male RA patients were age, disease duration, DAS score, HAQ score, VAS score, and the number of drugs.ConclusionSD is prevalent in RA patients. Disease activity, pain, depression, and disturbed quality of life affect nearly all domains of sexual functions in female and male patients.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disabling joint disease affecting both males and females
Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in females (62.1%) and males (63.8%) with RA than control subjects
Predictors of sexual dysfunction in RA female patients were the number of children, Body mass index (BMI), disease duration, DAS
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disabling joint disease affecting both males and females. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common association with RA. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction in male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a distressing chronic, inflammatory autoimmune systemic disease affecting 0.3 to 1% of the adult population [1]. RA influences the quality of sexual life, through their physical and psychological symptoms such as pain, stiffness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, negative body image, loss of libido, hormonal imbalance, chronic medications, and functional disability [7]. A patient usually experiences physical difficulties in sexual activities due to pain associated with the joint movement that causes difficulty in finding suitable sex positions due to pain or
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