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Erectile dysfunction in ankylosing spondylitis patients.
Thiago Santana1, Thelma Skare1, Vitor Steil Delboni1
1Unidade de Reumatologia, Hospital Evangélico, Padre Anchieta, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.
Summary
Erectile dysfunction is common in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, with disease activity significantly impacting sexual health. Higher disease activity scores correlate with worse erectile function in AS individuals.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Sexual Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic disease that may impact sexual function.
- Sexual dysfunction, specifically erectile dysfunction, is a potential concern for AS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare erectile function in Brazilian patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) against a control group.
- To assess the relationship between disease activity and erectile function in AS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 40 AS patients and 40 healthy controls.
- The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire was utilized.
- Disease activity (BASDAI, ASDAS, MASES, SPARCC), function (BASFI, HAQ), and metrological index (BASMI) were assessed in AS patients.
Main Results:
- AS patients reported significantly lower IIEF scores (median 22.0) compared to controls (median 29.0, p<0.0001).
- Only 17.5% of AS patients had no erectile dysfunction, versus 87.5% of controls (p<0.0001).
- IIEF scores negatively correlated with BASDAI, HAQ, BMI, MASES, and SPARCC; BASDAI was the sole independent predictor of IIEF in multiple regression.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of erectile dysfunction exists among patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
- Erectile dysfunction in AS is significantly associated with disease activity, particularly as measured by BASDAI.