High Burden of Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a Cross-sectional Study

Puchner, Rudolf; Sautner, Judith; Gruber, Johann; Bragagna, Elia; Trenkler, A; Lang, Gertraud; Eberl, G; Alkin, Alois; Pieringer, Herwig

doi:10.3899/jrheum.171287

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…The percentage of women with FSD was higher in the RA group (106/223, 47.5%) when compared with HCO (24/169, 14.2%). Detailed data on the association between FSD and RA have already been reported elsewhere 17…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression: a common comorbidity in women with rheumatoid arthritis—results from an Austrian cross-sectional study

Sautner¹,

Puchner

Alkin³

et al. 2020

BMJ Open

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ObjectivesPrevious research showed that depression is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the prevalence very much depends on different assessment tools and sociocultural differences, respectively. The main study aim and research question was to investigate the proportion of depressive symptoms in Austrian female patients with RA.SettingA nationwide multicentre study with seven secondary care centres all over Austria (hospital-based rheumatological outpatient clinics and private practices).Participants319 patients with RA and 306 healthy controls (HCO), all female Caucasians, were asked to complete a Beck’s Depression Inventory–Fast Screen (BDI-FS). Patients and HCO were ≥18 years. Patients had to fulfil the 2010 classification criteria for RA. In addition, disease activity, disability, medication, drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking and occupational status were evaluated.Primary and secondary outcome measuresA BDI-FS cut-off value of ≥4, per definition, indicates the presence of a depressive symptomatology.ResultsThe return rate of questionnaires was high: 235/319 (73.7%) in patients with RA and 180/306 (58.8%), ending up with 392 complete questionnaires from 223 patients with RA (69.9%) and 169 HCO (55.2%). The BDI-FS was significantly higher in patients with RA (median BDI-FS 2 (IQR 0–4) vs median 1 (IQR 0–2) in HCO, p<0.001). BDI-FS scores from ≥4, which by definition indicate depression, were found in 29.6% of patients with RA and 12.4% of HCO (p<0.001). Depressive symptoms were strongly associated with disease activity (Clinical Disease Activity Index, p<0.001) and disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire, p<0.005). No association of depressive symptoms with age, alcohol consumption, smoking, occupational status or use of medication was found.ConclusionsOne-third of female patients with RA showed depressive symptoms. Depression was significantly higher in female patients with RA than in female HCO and was strongly associated with disease activity and disability. It would be of interest to address the same question in male participants.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression: a common comorbidity in women with rheumatoid arthritis—results from an Austrian cross-sectional study

Sautner¹,

Puchner

Alkin³

et al. 2020

BMJ Open

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“…The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes sexual health as an essential part of general health and an important part of human well-being. 62 According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), sexual health encompasses 2 areas: intimate relationships and sexual functions, both of which can be affected in patients with RA. 63 Sexual dysfunction is a common health conflict that affects up to 50% of the population and in most cases it can be correlated with age.…”

Section: Sexual Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Rheumatoid Arthritis Evaluation: What are We Missing?

Espinoza¹,

Maldonado²,

Narvaez³

et al. 2021

OARRR

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune systemic disease that preferentially affects small and large joints with a progressive course and can become deforming and disabling. In recent years, much progress has been made in the evaluation of inflammation and disease activity, however, there are other factors that have a high impact on the quality of life of these patients, such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disorders, suicidal behavior, fibromyalgia, sexual activity, sarcopenia, frailty, cachexia and obesity that are not always evaluated by rheumatologists. This review shows that the evaluation and timely detection of these aspects in patients with RA could interfere with the prognosis and improve their quality of life.

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“…Previous research has reported high prevalence of impaired sexual health among persons living with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [5][6][7][8][9], fibromyalgia [10,11] and multiple sclerosis [12]. Sexual dysfunction is also reported to be higher among persons with RA compared with healthy control groups, and the main influencing factor is pain [13,14]. Restoux et al (2020) concluded, in a recent systematic review based on 50 quantitative and six qualitative studies, that sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among both men and women with inflammatory arthritis, and called for increased clinician awareness of this impairment, so as to guide provision of tailored education and support [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of sexual health in persons with hip and knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study

Strid

Ekelius-Hamping

2020

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the world's most common form of arthritis and a common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability. Persons living with chronic diseases often have affected sexual health because of pain and limited function. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease but there is scarce knowledge about how sexual health is experienced. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of sexual health in persons who have seen a physiotherapist for their hip and/or knee OA. Methods: This study has a qualitative design. Participants were recruited from the Swedish Quality Register Better Management of Patients with Osteoarthritis (BOA). To reach a variety of experiences and strengthen credibility, a purposeful sampling strategy based on age, sex and hip and knee OA was used. Semi-structured telephone interviews were held with 20 persons with hip and/or knee OA. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis and inductive category development was applied. Results: The analysis resulted in two main categories. The first category, Individual differences in how sexual health is affected by hip and knee OA, comprises of two sub categories: Pain limits sexual health; and Strategies for sexual health in the relationship. The second main category, Varying needs for communication about sexual health, is supported by the sub categories: Physiotherapists do not ask about sexual health; and Relevance of communicating about sexual health. Conclusions: Painful hip and knee OA limit sexual health to varying degrees, and individuals make adjustments or develop strategies to maintain sexual life. Sexual health is not talked about during consultations with physiotherapists or other health care professionals, indicating that patients with OA may have unmet needs regarding their sexual health. Further research is needed on how to provide support and information about sexual health in OA.

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High Burden of Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract: FSD apparently is highly prevalent in female patients with RA, affects all subdomains of sexual function, and is most likely underestimated in daily clinical practice. Of note, FSD could not be linked to disability or RA disease activity.

Cited by 21 publications

References 32 publications

Depression: a common comorbidity in women with rheumatoid arthritis—results from an Austrian cross-sectional study

Depression: a common comorbidity in women with rheumatoid arthritis—results from an Austrian cross-sectional study

Beyond Rheumatoid Arthritis Evaluation: What are We Missing?

Experiences of sexual health in persons with hip and knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study

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