Sexual function in female juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate sexual function female adolescents and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and healthy controls. Methods: After exclusion, 21 female adolescent and young JIA patients and 25 healthy controls were selected for this study. Sexual function was assessed by the Sexual Quotient Questionnaire for Females (SQQ-F) score, which is a validated tool and adapted for Brazilian Portuguese language. Demographic data, JIA clinical/laboratory parameters and treatment were also assessed. Results: The median current age [26.5 (17-38.1) vs. 29.3 (19.7-35.8) years, p = 0.700)] as well as age at the first sexual activity [18 (14-30) vs. 17 (10-24) years, p = 0.158] were similar in JIA patients and healthy controls. The median of SQQ-F score was alike in both groups [75.9 (50-92) vs. 78.2 (58-94), p = 0.529], as well as frequencies of sexual dysfunction (14% vs. 12%, p = 1.000). The frequencies of all sexual domains (desire/sexual fantasies, desire/interest, arousal/foreplay, arousal/lubrication, arousal/in tune with partner, penetration/relaxation, pain/penetration, desire/involvement, orgasm and general satisfaction scores) were similar in JIA patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this was the first study using a validated sexual score in a chronic arthritis population suggesting a low frequency of overall sexual dysfunction in young JIA patients. Future multicenter studies with a large sample will be necessary to confirm this finding.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sexual Function of Health Professionals From an Epicenter in Brazil

“… 13 Both instruments were developed in Brazilian Portuguese as self-reported questionnaires to evaluate several sexual domains ( Table 3 ), 12 , 13 and currently they are used for population surveys in different scenarios. 14 , 15 Data were analyzed in questions to be answered in a Likert scale fashion (0 = never to 5 = always), usually expressing the satisfaction level or frequency of a specific event, contemplating the sexual response cycle phases. In the end, a score can be disclosed for each sexual domain, or indeed the overall quality of sexual life can be declared as a total score, ranging from 0 to 100 points.…”

“… 13 Table 3 demonstrates the standardization of sexual performance classification, according to FSQ and MSQ Scores, and that a total score of below 62 indicates an unfavorable sexual performance. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 The expected time for the participant to complete the online survey was around 10 minutes.…”

“…The second section corresponded to two gender-specific Brazilian-designed validated global sexual function questionnaires: the female sexual quotient (FSQ) 12 and male sexual quotient (MSQ) 13 . Both instruments were developed in Brazilian Portuguese as self-reported questionnaires to evaluate several sexual domains (Table 3) 12,13 , and currently they are used for population surveys in different scenarios 14,15 . Data were analyzed in questions to be answered in a Likert scale fashion (0=never to 5=always), usually expressing the satisfaction level or frequency of a specific event, contemplating the sexual response cycle phases.…”

“…Similarly, the MSQ considers the following sexual domains: desire (item 1), self-confidence (item 2), erection quality (items 5, 6 and 7), ejaculation control (item 8), ability to achieve orgasm (item 9), self-satisfaction (items 3, 4 and 10) and partner's satisfaction (items 3 and 10) 13 . Appendix 1 demonstrates the standardization of sexual performance classification, according to FSQ and MSQ Scores, and that a total score of below 62 indicates a unfavorable sexual performance [12][13][14][15] . The expected time for the participant to complete the online survey was around 10 minutes.…”