title: Sexual activity in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the sexual activity of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, correlating it with disease activity and functional indices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 32 healthy controls were assessed regarding pain, fatigue, sexual activity (by use of pictures of seven sexual positions), disease activity (by use of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index - BASDAI), and functional capacity (by use of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index - BASFI). After the interview, the patients were divided into two groups: group A (with sexual activity) and group B (no sexual activity).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group B showed statistical association with longer disease duration (P = 0.01), and higher BASFI (P = 0.0007) and BASDAI (P = 0.03) scores. No correlation was observed between age and functional capacity. Man lying on his back and woman on top was the most frequent, enjoyable and least painful position. The position with the woman on her back and a man lying on top was the least chosen. Control individuals reported a higher frequency of sexual activity, longer duration of intercourse, and less pain and fatigue; the reported frequency of orgasms, however, was similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chronic nature of ankylosing spondylitis, with poor functional capacity and higher disease activity, interferes with sexual intercourse. When sexual activity was possible, orgasm and sexual satisfaction did not differ from those of healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrea Lopes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gallinaro
authors.forename: Lilian Lie
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Akagawa
authors.forename: Mariana Hissami Ichiba
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Otuzi
authors.forename: Percival Degrava
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sampaio-Barros
authors.forename: Célio Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult