Factors Affecting the Sexual Satisfaction of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

This descriptive study was conducted to determine the sexual satisfaction of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the factors affecting same. A demographic questionnaire and the evaluation form of sexual satisfaction were completed by 33 patients. The patients' disease activity and functional condition were also evaluated with DAS28 and HAQ for RA and the BASDAI and BASFI for AS. Results indicated that the difference between patients' sexual satisfaction scores before and after onset of their disease was statistically significant. We also found that the sexual satisfaction score was low with a statistically significant difference in female RA patients, those who experienced discord with their husband due to the illness, and those who believed medication affected their sex life. It was also found that the sexual satisfaction score of RA patients was negatively correlated with DAS 28 and HAQ. In conclusion, sexual satisfaction was particularly low in RA patients. These findings certainly indicate that nurses should be aware of the patient's sexual lifestyle and functioning.