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Sexual problems in male ankylosing spondylitis patients: relationship with functionality, disease activity, quality of life, and emotional status

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Abstract

This study has focused on sexual problems of male ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Initially, patients’ perceptions about the effects of disease on sexual intercourse were assessed. Secondly, we investigated the factors that relate to the disease and affect sexual intercourse negatively. Thirdly, we compared data from the patients whose sexual intercourse were affected negatively with of those whose sexual intercourse were unaffected. This is a cross-sectional and double-centered study. A total of 53 married or sexually active male patients, who were certainly diagnosed with AS according to modified New York criteria, were assessed. Twenty seven patients (50.94%) expressed that their sexual life was affected negatively by the AS in general (affected patients), and 26 patients (49.06%) expressed no negative effect (unaffected patients). Both affected and unaffected patients were compared with each other with regard to educational level, joint involvement, functionality, disease activity, quality of life, and depression status. Mean BASFI, BASDAI scores were worse in the affected group, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012, p = 0.039, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to lumbar column and hip involvement (p = 0.035, p = 0.021; respectively). The physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, vitality/energy/fatigue, general mental health, and general health perception subscale scores of SF-36 were worse in the affected group, and the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.027, p = 0.023, p = 0,013, p = 0.005, p = 0.045, respectively). Affected patients’ Beck Depression Inventory scores were worse than those of unaffected patients, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.039). Sexual problems are common in AS patients and might usually be associated with joint involvement, decreased functionality, increased disease activity, decreased health quality, and depression. Therefore, while examining AS patients and managing their treatments, special attention must be given to all domains of life instead of only physical problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, GATA HEH FTR Servisi, 34668, Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey

    Engin Cakar, Umit Dincer, Mehmet Zeki Kiralp & Hasan Dursun

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey

    Mehmet Ali Taskaynatan

  3. TSK Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey

    Evren Yasar & Ahmet Ozgul

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey

    Emine Ozgur Bayman

Authors
  1. Engin Cakar
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  2. Umit Dincer
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  3. Mehmet Zeki Kiralp
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  4. Mehmet Ali Taskaynatan
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  5. Evren Yasar
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  6. Emine Ozgur Bayman
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  7. Ahmet Ozgul
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  8. Hasan Dursun
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Correspondence to Umit Dincer.

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Cakar, E., Dincer, U., Kiralp, M.Z. et al. Sexual problems in male ankylosing spondylitis patients: relationship with functionality, disease activity, quality of life, and emotional status. Clin Rheumatol 26, 1607–1613 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-007-0545-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-007-0545-x

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