Rheumatology Medical News about ankylosing spondylitis;sexual relations

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Ankylosing spondylitis and its impact on sexual relationships
Rheumatology, 06/22/09

Healey EL et al. – Study demonstrates that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has a substantial impact on patients’ sexual relationships. Management of AS and its impact on sexual relationships should be directed not only towards physical outcomes such as disease activity and physical function, but also take into consideration the psychological state of the patient.

Methods

Aim was to explore the impact of AS on the sexual relationships
1000 pts with a confirmed diagnosis of AS across UK were invited to participate in a study evaluating a new quality of life measure
Pts completed a questionnaire, which also included questions relating to:
- Impact of AS on their sexual relationships, and
- Impact on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics

Results

612 (64%) pts took part in the study; 71.6% were male; mean age: 50.8 yrs; mean disease duration: 17.3 yrs; mean symptom duration: 23 yrs
Of those who responded to the question on sexual relationships (n=552), 210 (38.0%) reported that their sexual relationships were affected ‘moderately’, ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely’ by their AS
Males reported greater sexual problems with increasing age
Poor function, depression, greater disease activity, unemployment, and poor self-efficacy were independently associated with a greater impact on pts’ sexual relationships