Perceived effects of health status on sexual activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a 5-year follow-up study

Axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) causes pain, fatigue, stiffness, loss of physical function, and poor health status, which can influence sexual activity and enjoyment. To explore whether patients with ax-SpA perceive that their health status effects their sexual activity and to identify predictors of these perceived effects on sexual activity after a 5-year follow-up. Data about demographics, disease, medication, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and sexual quality of life (SQOL) were collected at the baseline and 5-year follow-up. The perceived effect of health status on sexual activity was measured by question 15 in the 15D questionnaire. Data were analysed using the McNemar and independent paired t tests and logistic regression. In the 244 patients with ax-SpA (30% women, 70% men; mean age, 46 years), measures reflecting disease activity decreased and comorbidities increased, and more patients were treated with biological drugs at 5 years. Compared with patients whose health status had little/no effect on sexual activity (n = 200), those who perceived that their health status had a large effect on sexual activity (n = 44) were older, exercised less, fewer were employed, had more comorbidities, higher disease activity, and lower HRQOL and SQOL. The baseline predictors of a negative effect of health status on sexual activity were old age and low SQOL. Patients reporting that their health status had a large effect on sexual activity at 5 years were older, had more disease activity, and lower HRQOL and SQOL.