TY - JOUR T1 - High Burden of Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a Cross-sectional Study JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.171287 SP - jrheum.171287 AU - Rudolf Puchner AU - Judith Sautner AU - Johann Gruber AU - Elia Bragagna AU - Andrea Trenkler AU - Gertraud Lang AU - Gabriele Eberl AU - Alois Alkin AU - Herwig Pieringer Y1 - 2018/09/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2018/08/27/jrheum.171287.abstract N2 - Objective To evaluate the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on impairing women’s sexuality regarding motivation, activity, and satisfaction, and to assess the correlation of disease-related physical impairment within sexual functioning. Methods An anonymous survey among women with RA and healthy controls (HC) using standardized questionnaires, predominantly the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-short form (CSFQ-14). In addition, disease activity, depression, and disability were evaluated. Results There were 319 questionnaires distributed to patients and 306 to HC. Of these, 235 patient questionnaires (73.7%) and 180 HC questionnaires (58.8%) were returned, of which 203 and 169 were completed, respectively. Of the patients with RA, 47.8% had a total CSFQ-14 score of ≤ 41, indicating female sexual dysfunction (FSD), as compared to 14.2% of HC (p < 0.0001). The median CSFQ-14 score was lower in patients with RA [42 points, interquartile range (IQR) 36–48] than in HC (49 points, IQR 44–54; p < 0.0001), resulting in an OR of 5.53 (95% CI 3.19–9.57; p < 0.0001). After adjustment for confounders, given a higher mean age of patients (55.2 ± 11.3 yrs) than HC (47.4 ± 11.8 yrs; p < 0.0001), the OR for FSD in patients with RA was still 3.04 (95% CI 1.61–5.75; p = 0.001). Neither the Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index nor the Clinical Disease Activity Index was associated with FSD after adjustment. Conclusion 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. ER -