AB1472 MALE PERSPECTIVE ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN RHEUMATOLOGY PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: E. Giacobbe, M. C. Gerardi, C. Gagliardi, S. Benedetti, G. DI Raimondo, A. Ascione, M. Barichello, N. Ughi, A. Adinolfi, L. Belloli, C. Casu, M. DI Cicco, D. A. Filippini, M. Longhi, B. L. Palermo, M. Schettino, G. Segatto, E. Verduci, O. M. Epis
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> As reproductive health is gathering attention in Rheumatology and all medical fields, the male perspective on the matter is often overlooked as not directly related to pregnancy and lactation. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To describe male perception of sexuality, fertility, contraception, conceiving related to their rheumatic disease, and their need to explore these aspects in a dedicated counselling session. <h3>Methods:</h3> In this cross-sectional observational study, a survey about reproductive health (sexuality, contraception, fertility, conceiving, pregnancy, lactation, transmissibility) in relation to their disease has been administered to consecutive patients with immune-mediated diseases aged 18 to 50years, attending a Reproductive Health Counselling Clinic. Their need for information about reproductive health as part of a counselling carried out by dedicated rheumatologists (on-site or by televisit) was investigated. In this study the male perspective was analysed. <h3>Results:</h3> From January to September 2023, 103 male patients completed the survey (Table 1). 10% of patients noted a changing in their sexuality after the diagnosis, 20% patients thought their rheumatic disease influences their sexuality and 3.9% believed their partner sexual behavior changed after the diagnosis. Regarding contraception, 37.9% of patients affirmed not to use condoms, while 18% had a female partner that used contraceptives, and most patients had never explored the contraception topic with their partner. 10% and 17% of patients reported their fertility may be influenced by their disease or the drugs taken for it, respectively. From our data, 60% were worried about transmissibility of their disease to children. 37% of patients were worried both for the effect that their disease or the drugs taken for it could have on conceiving, respectively. Figure 1 shows which aspects of reproductive health had already been addressed during any visit and which aspects patients needed to address. It is important to underline that 44% of patients had never addressed any reproductive health issue with any physician, while 39% had already discussed these topics with a rheumatologist, 4% with a urologist and 7% with their general practitioner. 37 patients requested counselling, of which 15 have already been carried out (13 on-site visits, 2 televisits). Most of the patients was satisfied by the counselling (80%) and would recommend it to other patients (86.7%). 1 patient has been referred to a Urologist to address infertility issues. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Reproductive health is often overlooked especially in male patients as not directly related to pregnancy or lactation. As almost 50% of male patients had never addressed any of reproductive health related items before (sexuality, fertility, conceiving, contraception, drugs taken for the rheumatic disease), counselling, both in-person or remotely, has proved successful in answering patients' questions or doubts. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> CTD, connective tissue diseases; PsA, psoriatic arthritis; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SpA, spondyloarthropathies; b-DMARDs, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; cs-DMARDs, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; ts-DMARDs, targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>