OP0200-PARE BARING IT ALL: A REPORT ON THE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN+ WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATIC AND PSORIATIC DISEASES

Abstract

Baring it All: a report on the sexual and reproductive health experiences of women+ with inflammatory arthritis, rheumatic and psoriatic diseasesBackgroundInflammatory arthritis and psoriasis commonly affect women+ in the prime of their lives with significant impacts on sexual, reproductive and mental health. There have been some efforts to provide educational resources and other support by patient organizations globally but no broad efforts to evaluate patient needs and experiences throughout their lives and disease course.ObjectivesThe Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients, Canadian Psoriasis Network and Canadian Spondylitis Association co-developed and launched the Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey on International Women’s Day 2021. Findings were analyzed in the report, Baring it All: A survey and recommendations on sexual and reproductive health needs of women+ with rheumatic, inflammatory and psoriatic diseases.MethodsSurvey participants were asked about their experiences with:• sexual health• family planning• parenting• perimenopause/menopause• pain• mental health• accessing care and treatments (including paying for medications)A total of 439 people across Canada who identified as female (women+) living with inflammatory arthritis, rheumatic, and psoriatic diseases participated. Results were analyzed to provide a national picture and insights based on Canadian geography, age, and identification as a member of a racialized community and/or as LGBTQ2S+.ResultsOver 60% of survey participants indicated that they did not have enough information about sexual health and their condition(s) and identified information needs relating to managing the impact of fatigue on their sex life, advice on improving sex drive, and sexual positions comfortable for their body as priorities. Less than half of survey participants indicated receiving counseling from a doctor before pregnancy. Many participants expressed a need for information about medication safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding and managing the impact of pain.Two in five survey participants (40%) indicated they were currently experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause; however, only half of them (21%) indicated they understood how menopause affects their condition(s). Over 50% of participants indicated they understand how menopause affects bone health.Though 91% of survey participants indicated that they can honestly discuss pain with their healthcare provider, only 58% feel like their healthcare provider relates to the pain they experience from their condition. The vast majority (87%) of survey participants worry about the impact of their condition on their mental health, yet only 16% of participants identified having a mental health professional (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker) as part of their care team.ConclusionThere are several unmet needs in accessing care and information throughout the lives of women+ living with inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic and rheumatic diseases. A shift in models of care to focus on patient needs could assist patients in navigating a range of difficult decisions, such as choosing safe medications for pregnancy and breastfeeding, reconciling health, work and parenting demands, understanding menopause, accessing mental health support, and managing pain. A sex and gender lens can be used in the creation of resources and policies to support people with these condition(s).ReferencesnoneDisclosure of InterestsLaurie Proulx Grant/research support from: Laurie Proulx is 2nd vice president of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, a patient run, volunteer-based organization that receives project funding from pharmaceutical companies. CAPA received unrestricted educational grants from UCB Canada for this project. Survey design & data analysis, report preparation and dissemination were carried out independently by CAPA, CAPP, CPN, and CSA.Shannon Ketelaars Grant/research support from: Shannon Ketelaars is the Executive Director of the Canadian Spondylitis Association (CSA), a national charitable not-for-profit that receives project funding from the pharmaceutical sector. CSA received unrestricted educational grants from UCB Canada for this project. Survey design & data analysis, report preparation and dissemination were carried out independently by CAPA, CAPP, CPN, and CSA., Rachael Manion Grant/research support from: Rachael Manion is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients (CAPP) and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, both of which are national not-for-profit patient organizations that receive project funding from pharmaceutical companies. CAPP received unrestricted educational grants from UCB Canada for this project. Survey design & data analysis, report preparation and dissemination were carried out independently by CAPA, CAPP, CPN, and CSA.Antonella Scali Grant/research support from: Antonella Scali is the Executive Director of the Canadian Psoriasis Network (CPN), a national not-for-profit organization. CPN receives project funding from pharmaceutical companies including unrestricted educational grants from UCB Canada for this project. Survey design & data analysis, report preparation and dissemination were carried out independently by CAPA, CAPP, CPN, and CSA.