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Vol. 21. Issue 10.
(December 2025)
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Vol. 21. Issue 10.
(December 2025)
Original article
Prevalence and impact of chronic joint diseases on the sexual sphere compared to a healthy population: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Prevalencia e impacto de las enfermedades articulares crónicas en la esfera sexual en comparación con una población sana: un estudio multicéntrico transversal
Carlos Valera-Riberaa,
Corresponding author
carlosvribera@gmail.com

Corresponding author.
, Juan José Alegre-Sanchoa, Àngels Martínez-Ferrera, Montserrat Robustillo-Villarinob
a Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Servicio de Reumatología, Valencia, Spain
b Hospital Universitario La Plana, Sección de Reumatología, Villareal, Castellón, Spain
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Tables (3)
Table 1. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of control and patient subpopulations.
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Table 2. Scores of the 4 sexual domains of the CSFQ-14 questionnaire common for both sexes.
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Table 3. Association between sexual dysfunction and the sociodemographic and clinical variables according to the multivariate logistic regression model.
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Abstract
Objectives

To describe the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and a control group, and identify associated factors.

Methods

Adults of any sexual orientation with PsA (CASPAR criteria) or RA (EULAR/ACR 2010 criteria) were consecutively included in this cross-sectional observational study. The Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14) was self-administered to evaluate variations in sexual function due to disease or medication. We also evaluated the potential association of sociodemographic and clinical data with SD. Results were compared with a control group of healthy individuals.

Results

Overall 188 individuals were included, 72 with PsA and 27 with RA. In total, 30.43%, 48.15% and 5.88% of the PsA, RA and control groups, respectively, had scores within the SD range. The overall patient population had a mean CSFQ-14 score 8.2 points lower than the control group. All domains of the CSFQ-14 questionnaire were negatively affected by PsA or RA (p<0.001). The risk of SD is associated with age, sex, perceived health, employment situation, and economic status. The estimated odds ratio of having SD was 8.7 times higher in patients diagnosed with PsA and 10 times higher in patients diagnosed with RA.

Conclusions

Patients with RA or PsA have a poorer sexual life in all sexual sphere domains, compared to a healthy population. Our study confirms the value of the CSFQ-14 questionnaire for assessing sexual health and as a tool for the integral management of patients with chronic joint diseases.

Keywords:
Sexual health
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Quality of life
CSFQ-14
Resumen
Objetivos

Describir la prevalencia de disfunción sexual (DS) en los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR), artritis psoriásica (APs) y un grupo control, e identificar los factores asociados.

Métodos

Se incluyeron consecutivamente los adultos de cualquier orientación sexual con diagnóstico de APs (criterios CASPAR) o AR (criterios EULAR/ACR 2010) en este estudio observacional transversal. Se utilizó el cuestionario Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14), autoadministrado, para evaluar variaciones en la función sexual atribuibles a la enfermedad o a la medicación. También se analizó la posible asociación entre los datos sociodemográficos y clínicos con la DS. Los resultados se compararon con los de un grupo control de individuos sanos.

Resultados

Se incluyeron en total 188 individuos: 72 con APs y 27 con AR. Un 30,43, 48,15 y 5,88% de los grupos con APs, AR y control, respectivamente, obtuvieron puntuaciones compatibles con DS. Los pacientes puntuaron una media de 8,2 puntos en el CSFQ-14 inferior a la del grupo control. Todos los dominios del cuestionario CSFQ-14 se vieron negativamente afectados por presentar APs o AR (p<0,001). El riesgo de DS se asoció con la edad, el sexo, la autopercepción de salud, la situación laboral y el nivel económico. La odds ratio estimada de presentar DS fue 8,7 veces mayor en los pacientes con APs y 10 veces mayor en los pacientes con AR.

Conclusiones

Los pacientes con AR o APs presentan una vida sexual más empobrecida en todos los dominios de la esfera sexual en comparación con una población sana. Nuestro estudio confirma el valor del cuestionario CSFQ-14 como herramienta para evaluar la salud sexual e incorporarla en el manejo integral de los pacientes con enfermedades articulares crónicas.

Palabras clave:
Salud sexual
Artritis reumatoide
Artritis psoriásica
Calidad de vida
CSFQ-14

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