SAT0598 Evaluation of the quality of sexual life during chronic low back pain
Authors: I Haddada, M Brahem, H Hachfi, S Ben Hammouda, M Maraoui, M Jguirim, M Younes
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2017)

<h3>Background</h3> Sexual life has an important role in preserving the good quality of life of patients and their partners. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) as well as other musculoskeletal diseases, can affect all life activities including sexual function. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study is to assess the impact of chronic low back pain on sexual life and to identify the associated factors. <h3>Methods</h3> It9s a study of 144 patients suffering from chronic low back pain, during a period of nine months (from February to October 2016).We have specifically studied the relationship between chronic low back pain and sexual quality of life, using the Sexual Quotient (QS) (a validated questionnaire), which consists in 10 questions, rated each one from 0 to 10, to have a final score rated from 0 to 100. <h3>Results</h3> The average age of our patients was 53.87years [23–79 years], with a female predominance in 64% of cases. The mean visual analogue scale for pain was 4.72 [1–9]. The average duration of low back pain was 6.5 years. The average score of Quebec was 45.3 [5–92], concerning the mean Dallas score,the segmental results were as follows: 53.1% of impact on daily activities, 47.6% of impact on work/leisure ratio, 45% of impact on anxiety/depression ratio and 33.4% of impact on sociability. In our study, 57.2% of cases were under analgesic treatment, 85.5% were under non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 20% had at least one local corticosteroid infiltration, 34% had functional rehabilitation and 4, 1% had surgical treatment. Regarding sexual dysfunction, 34.5% of our patients didn9t have any sexual activity, 2.1% had a catastrophic sexual life (score &lt;20), 9% had a disappointing sexual life (score between 20 and 40), 20% had an average sexual life (score between 40 and 60), 17.9% had a satisfying sexual life (score between 60 and 80), while only 13.1% had a very fulfilling sexual life (score between 80 and 100. we showed that the alteration of the sexual quotient in our patients is more marked when the age of the patients is more advanced. But we didn9t found a significant correlation with the duration of the disease, the mean visual analogue scale for pain and the functional scores of Quebec and Dallas. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our study suggests that sexuality is profoundly disrupted in chronic low back pain. The advanced age is proved to be correlated with the deterioration of the sexual life. So, sexuality must be taken into account in the management of patients with chronic low back pain. <h3>References</h3> Kellie S.H. Kwan, Lindy J. Roberts, Delphin M. Swalm. Sexual dysfunction and chronic pain: the role of psychological variables and impact on quality of life. European Journal of Pain 9 (2005) 643–652. Ambler Nicholas, Williams Amanda, Hill Patrick, Gunary Rachel, Cratchley Gina. Difficultés sexuelles des patients douloureux chroniques. Clinical Journal of Pain 17 (2001) pp 138–145. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared