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Effects of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy on female sexual functions
M. Gözüküçük1, E. Türkyilmaz2, O. Küçükşahin3, Ş. Erten4, Y. Üstün5, A.F. Yavuz6
- SBÜ Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ankara, Turkey. muratgozukucuk@gmail.com
- Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Maternity Hospital, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey.
- Department of Rheumatology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey.
- Department of Rheumatology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey.
- SBÜ Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ankara, Turkey.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey.
CER14425
2022 Vol.40, N°5
PI 0967, PF 0974
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PMID: 34128800 [PubMed]
Received: 15/01/2021
Accepted : 03/05/2021
In Press: 08/06/2021
Published: 13/05/2022
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Rheumatologic diseases may impair the quality of life (QoL) by affecting sexual functions in different ways. We aimed to evaluate sexual functions and the disease-related variables, physical and psychogenic states in female patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy.
METHODS:
A total of 98 women with axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA) and 99 healthy females were included in the study. The axSpA group was divided into two subgroups as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthropathy (nr-axSpA) (62 AS and 36 nr-axSpA). The patients’ disease-related variables recorded. All the women in the axSpA and control groups were evaluated gynaecologically. The female sexual function index (FSFI), Health Status Questionnaire [Short Form (SF)-36], and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) were applied to all participants.
RESULTS:
Clitoral and labial atrophy and speculum pain score were significantly higher in the axSpA group (p<0.05). The FSFI and QoL-SF-36 scores were significantly lower and the HAD-D and HAD-A scores were significantly higher of in the axSpA group than in the control group (p<0.05 for all). There was no significant between the axSpA subgroups in terms of the FSFI, QoL-SF-36 and HAD scores.
CONCLUSIONS:
In elderly women with axSpA, disease duration and limitation of movement are more effective in genital atrophy and sexual functions, but there is no difference between those with AS and nr-axSpA in relation to sexual functions and psychological burden.
