Factors Associated with Sexual Dysfunction in Taiwanese Females with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Authors

Miao-Chiu Lin, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation,Follow
Ming-Chi Lu, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical FoundationFollow
Hanoch Livneh, Portland State UniversityFollow
Ning-Sheng Lai, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical FoundationFollow
How-Ran Guo, National Cheng Kung University
Tzung-Yi Tsai, National Cheng Kung UniversityFollow

Published In

BMC Women's Health

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-14-2017

Subjects

Sexual dysfunction, Rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple regression analysis

Abstract

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may experience sexual dysfunction because of symptoms or adverse effects from treatments. Data on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Asian females with RA issue are limited. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with FSD in Taiwanese patients with RA.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a purposive sampling method to recruit 195 females with RA from a single hospital in southern Taiwan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained by review of medical records and a structured questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Female Sexual Function Index and the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire were also administered. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with FSD.

Results: The crude and age-standardized prevalence of FSD were 66.8% and 48.2%, respectively. Patients who were older, with a comorbid condition, with more depressive symptoms, and with greater disease activity had a significantly higher risk of FSD.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that FSD is more common in Taiwanese individuals with RA who have certain specific demographic and clinical characteristics. These findings may help to identify and facilitate the provision of appropriate interventions to ensure better sexual health in female patients with RA.

Rights

© The Author(s). 2017

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.1186/s12905-017-0363-5

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/19523

Citation Details

Lin, M. C., Lu, M. C., Livneh, H., Lai, N. S., Guo, H. R., & Tsai, T. Y. (2017). Factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Taiwanese females with rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Women's Health, 17(1), 12.