AB0419 Psychological and sexual disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlation with disease activity
Authors: P. Santos-Moreno, J.M. Bello, L. Amador, M. Cubides, A. Urbina, L. Villarreal
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Emotional stability and sexual life are important dimensions of personality, therefore any involvement in these areas should be considered as important. Psychological and sexual disorders in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are poorly described in literature. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study was to describe psychological and sexual disturbances using CIE-10 and DSM-IV in patiens with RA and a possible correlation with disease activity. <h3>Methods</h3> A descriptive study was performed in a specialized clinic dedicated to care patients with RA. 252 RA patients were included in the study, which were seen by the area of psychology, which information was collected through semi-structured interviews and non-probability sampling, also using classificatory criteria of pathologies described in two diagnostic manuals: DSM IV and CIE 10, applying descriptive epidemiology for continuous variables, measure of central tendency and dispersion for qualitative and categorical variables through percentages and averages; also Pearson's statistics for bivariated analysis. <h3>Results</h3> 214 (84.9%) were women and 38 (15.1%) were men, average DAS28-3.5±0.8. Average age is 56.9 years. Using CIE-10 in women: 108 (50.5%) depressiveepisodeunspecified, 22 (10.3%) recurrent depressive disorder, 19 (8.8%) mixed disorder (depression/anxiety), 17 (7.9%) no report disorders, while in men: 18 (47.4%) depressiveepisodeunspecified, 4 (10.5%) recurrent depressive disorder, 3 (7.9%) mixed disorder (depression/anxiety), 4 (10.5%) no report disorders. Using DSM-IV in women: 106 (49.5%) unspecified disorder of mood in relation to disease, 26 (12.2%) unspecified depressive disorder, 24 (11.2%) unspecified anxiety disorder, 17 (7.9%) no report, while in men: 17 (44.7%) unspecified disorder of mood in relation to disease, 5 (13.2%) unspecified depressive disorder, 4 (10.5%) unspecifieddisorderof eating behavior, 4 (10.5%) no report disorder. It was not established correlation between type of psychological disorder and disease activity. 121 (56.5%) of women reported no sexual activity, while 93 (43.5%) report sexual activity. Of these, 16 (17.2%) reported satisfactory sexual activity, 32 (34.4%) reported lack or loss of sexual desire, 28 (30.1%) reported dyspareunia, 8 (8.6%) failed genital response, 3 (3.2%) aversion to sex and lack of sexual enjoyment, while 3 (3.2%), orgasmic dysfunction, and 3 (3.2%) vaginismus. 12 (31.6%) of men reported no sexual activity, while 26 (68.4%) report sexual activity. Of these, 11 (42.3%) had premature ejaculation, 4 (15.4%) reported satisfactory sexual activity,4 (15.4%) failed genital response, 3 (11.5%) reported lack or loss of sexual desire, 3 (11.5%) orgasmic dysfunction, 1 (3.8%) aversion to sex and lack of sexual enjoyment. It was established a correlation between low level of sexual activity and higher disease activity using DAS28 (p&lt;0.023). <h3>Conclusions</h3> According to these findings men and women have many psychological disorders in relation to RA; in both there is a prevalence of depressiveepisodeunspecified. On the other hand men and women have a high percentage of sexual disturbances in relation to RA; higher DAS28 is correlated with fewer level of sexual activity. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared