‘Substantial portion’ of patients with hip osteoarthritis report sexual dissatisfaction
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Key takeaways:
- As many as 70% patients with osteoarthritis report they are unsatisfied by their sexual activity.
- Anxiety, depression and stress contribute to sexual dissatisfaction.
A “substantial portion” of patients with hip osteoarthritis say their disease interferes with their sexual activity, with depression among the leading factors, according to data published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
“Rheumatologists should be aware of the impact of hip OA on their patients’ sexual activity and satisfaction,” David Hunter, MBBS, MSc, M SpMed, PhD, FRACP, of the University of Sydney, told Healio. “They should be prepared to discuss these issues with their patients and address any concerns or difficulties that may arise due to the condition. This may include providing appropriate resources, referrals or interventions to help improve the quality of sex life for individuals with hip OA.”
According to Hunter, the impetus of the study was based on “comments from patients in the clinic and sparse literature highlighting the impact that hip osteoarthritis can have on sexual activity.”
To examine sexual activity and satisfaction in patients with symptomatic hip OA, Hunter and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study of data sourced from the internet-based hip OA pain exacerbation study. Included patients were aged 40 years or older and had hip pain occurring 5 to 7 days each week. In addition, patients were required to meet the American College of Rheumatology criteria for OA in at least one of their hips and have a Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grade of hip OA of 2 or more.
The researchers collected patients’ sociodemographic data, while Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores were used to measure patients’ opinions about their hip disease. Other included questions surveyed sexual satisfaction, sexual frequency, psychological factors and other related issues. The researchers additionally measured patients’ emotional states using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Finally, patients supplied the most recent available radiographs for grading and evaluation.
A total of 152 participants completed the sexual activity questionnaires required for study inclusion. According to the researchers, 70% of participants reported that hip OA “interfered” with sexual activity. High confidence in completing sexual activity was linked to a higher prevalence ratio of sexual satisfaction (PR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36-0.77). Following adjustment for hip pain and perceived orgasm in their partner, high levels of anxiety, stress and depression were linked to increased sexual dissatisfaction (PR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6).
“Our findings showed that although a large proportion of persons with hip OA remain sexually active, there is still a substantial proportion who are dissatisfied with their sexual activity and who report that their hip OA interferes with their sexual activity,” Hunter and colleagues wrote. “The factors associated with sexual activity dissatisfaction in this sample were anxiety, depression or stress during sexual activity and confidence in completing sexual activity.
“These findings have several implications for research and clinical practice,” they added. “Disease-specific instruments to assess the QOL of persons with hip OA should include the impact of the condition on sexual activity. In clinical practice, health professionals should ask patients whether they would like to discuss the effect of their hip OA on their sexual activity in a sensitive manner. Education for patients with hip OA should also cover the issue of sexual activity.”
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