Sexual problems in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

In this study, scores on the sexual motivation scale (which measures the tendency to engage in sexual interaction versus the tendency to be averse to sexual interaction) were determined, by interview, in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and compared with the scores of healthy matched controls. AS patients did not score differently from the healthy population, but scores of men and women with RA were more in the direction of sexual aversion than those of healthy men and women. In female RA patients, some relationship was found between disease variables such as joint index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the score on the sexual motivation scale. In the second part of the interview, preference for certain coital positions was investigated, and the demand for help with sexual problems was explored. The percentage of RA patients expressing a need for advice was considerably greater than the percentage of AS patients.

Sexual function in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis

“…In an early study with AS patients, there was no difference between patients with AS and healthy control in terms of sexual dysfunction. 6 However, it is reported in recent studies that sexual dysfunction is at higher rates in AS. 7 Chronic diseases may impact the psychological well being of patients due to the development of psychopathology, such as depression and anxiety disorder.…”

“…11 Pirildar et al compared AS male patients' erectile functions with healthy controls and found significantly higher frequency of ED in AS patients, in which the duration of morning stiffness was found to be the only clinical feature related to ED. 6 Bal et al 29 found significant difference only in sexual desire domain of International Index of Erectile Function scoring system, duration of morning stiffness and BASDAI was negatively correlated with sexual desire and overall satisfaction. Dincer et al 8 also reported significantly lower sexual drive, problem assessment and low overall satisfaction scores in AS patients compared with healthy controls.…”

“…5 In an earlier study, no difference was shown between the scores of AS patients and healthy individuals. 6 Controversially, it is reported in recent studies that there are higher incidence of sexual dysfunction among patients with AS when compared with healthy controls. 7,8 The sexual dysfunction may be related with physical changes due to disease or comorbid psychological status.…”

Sexual Health and Intimate Relationships in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…After sexual activities, persons with RA can experience sexual health problems such as decreased satisfaction and increased pain. There can also be an altering of the sexual activities such as wanting to reach orgasm quickly, because prolonged sexual activity increases both pain and fatigue (Elst et al 1984). Intimate relationships can be affected negatively by RA and there has been some studies concerning the situation of the partner of a person with RA according to the persons with RA (Rkain et al 2006;Matheson, Harcourt, and Hewlett 2010;Bermas et al 2000).…”

Romatoid Artritli Kadın Hastalarda Seksüel Disfonksiyonun Değerlendirilmesi

“…Bunun dışında Sjögren sendromu ve akciğer tutulumu gibi ekstraartiküler organ tutulumları da hastanın seksüel performansını olumsuz yönde etkileyebilen durumlardır. Şu ana kadar kadınlarda RA ve seksüel disfonksiyon ilişkisini araştıran çok az sayıda çalışma vardır (12)(13)(14).…”