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Prevalence of Sexual Disorders in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Factors

Abstract:

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive pathology, present in between 0.5% and 1% of adults. Sexual disorders (SDs) occur in between 31% and 70% of all patients with RA. Aim: To establish the associated risk factors and the prevalence of SDs in a group of patients with RA. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed, evaluated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V tool. The related factors and the activity of the disease were explored. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Main Outcome Measure: The prevalence of SDs was 29.6%. There was an association between the presence of SDs and gender (women; odds ratio [OR]: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.8), age (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.8), psychological alterations (OR: 12.1, 95% CI: 5.9–27.2), and Disease Activity Score 28 (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2–2). Results: A total of 1,436 patients, with a median age of 56 years, were analyzed. Conclusion: SDs are present in a third of patients with RA. Among the factors associated with SDs were the activity of the disease, presence of mood disorders, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, and concomitant autoimmune pathologies. These findings suggest the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to properly manage RA, as well as an enhancement in communication channels between the health professional team and the patient. Santos-Moreno P, Castro CA, Villarreal L, et al. Prevalence of Sexual Disorders in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Factors. Sex Med 2020;8:510–516.