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Senior Citizens & Sex
Most Older People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Have
Normal Sex Lives
One-third say RA has a considerably negative
influence on sexual activity
June 26, 2006 Almost one-third of older people
inflicted with rheumatoid arthritis feel the condition has a
'considerably' negative influence on their sexual activity, according to
new research presented Saturday at the 7th Annual European Congress of
Rheumatology in Amsterdam (EULAR 2006). The new survey, however, found
the vast majority of patients said the condition has 'little' or 'no'
impact on sexual activity.
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About 10% of the patients reported rheumatoid
arthritis made sexual activity either almost or totally impossible and
21% said the condition had a considerable impact on their sexuality.
On the other end of the scale, however, almost a
third of patients (31%) also reported no impact on sexual activity, with
an additional 38% reporting only 'little' impact.
Compared to the female patients, men were more
likely to report large impact of health status on sexual activity
(27.8%, 40.0%, p= 0.001) , with patients with less than 12 years of
education more likely to report large impact, compared to those with
more than 12 years education (35.4%, 24.6%, p= 0,001).
Surprisingly, while joint pain associated with the
disease was not reported as playing a significant factor, higher levels
of fatigue (tiredness) and functional limitation predicted perceived
problems with sexual activity.
The study aimed to examine the prevalence of
self-reported problems with sexual activity in patients with RA, and
associations to demographic and disease related variables.
Responding to the mail survey were 1041 patients
with a mean age of 61.7 who had the disease for over ten years. Most
(78%) were female.
Out of the 1041 respondents, 830 patients answered
question 15 in the Health Utility Questionnaire 15D, which addressed the
perceived level of problems with sexual activity.
Pain and fatigue visual analogue scale (VAS, 100
mm), Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS2) and Health Assessment
Questionnaire (HAQ, range 0-3) were included as disease related
variables.
The 5 response groups were divided into "no/little
impact" on sexual activity or "large impact" (considerable impact/almost
impossible/impossible to have sexual activity).
"Today's findings indicate the need for increased
attention on effect of rheumatoid arthritis on sexual activity as well
as reveal that sexual problems should be addressed as part of the
general health care given to RA patients," explained Ylva Helland,
department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
"The complexity of the issue requires a broad and
multi-disciplinary approach by health personnel to ensure patients are
not limited in their ability to have sex".
Rheumatoid arthritis has a wide ranging impact on
patients' health, causing multiple medical, physical and psychological
problems, all of which have the potential to impair patients' ability to
conduct everyday tasks that others take for granted. In this light,
whilst it would seem logical that considerable prevalence of sexual
problems exist amongst rheumatoid arthritis patients, research in the
area of sexuality has been limited.
Another session of EULAR also focuses on the
subject of sexuality and RA. The presentations and discussions will be
on the approaches that healthcare professionals can take when discussing
sexuality with RA patients, peer group liaison to prompt discussions
around improving and continuing patient sex lives with RA, as well as
examples of different sexual positions to prevent joint pain and damage.
"Sexuality and arthritis is still very much a taboo
subject patients aren't sure who to speak to about worries with
regards to RA and their sex lives and healthcare professionals seldom
discuss the issue with their patients" explained C. Ziegler, project
manager of the Danish Rheumatism Association.
"Forums such as the EULAR congress provide a
platform for discussion and debate, enabling patients and healthcare
professionals to benefit from shared learning and experience" she
continued.
Helland, a nurse and a research fellow, received
one of the 12 abstract awards at this congress.
About EULAR
● The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)
is the organization which represents the patient, health professional
and scientific societies of rheumatology of all the European nations.
● As new treatments emerge and cellular
mechanisms are discovered, the 7th Annual European Congress of
Rheumatology in Amsterdam (EULAR 2006) brings together more than 10,000
experts - scientists, clinicians, healthcare workers, pharmaceutical
companies and patients - to share their knowledge in a global endeavour
to challenge the pain and disability caused by musculo-skeletal
disorders.
● To find out more information about the
activities of EULAR, visit:
www.eular.org.
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