title: Sexual Self-Concept and General Health in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several studies regarding sexual dysfunction in chronic diseases such as diabetes and renal failure; however, no significant study has been done on Iranian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we aimed to identify and compare sexual dysfunction between RA patients and the normal population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, two groups of females (87 RA patients and 89 controls) were randomly selected from the rheumatology clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran. General health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and multidimensional sexual self-concept questionnaire (MSSCQ) were used to evaluate RA patients. We used SPSS for statistical analysis mainly by the t-test and chi-square test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the GHQ-28 evaluation, RA patients had lower social function; however somatization rated higher in normal patients (P < 0.05). Sexual health was lower in the RA population (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in sexual desire. Except sexual pain, other sexual health parameters were lower in RA patients. The scores were as follow: sensation 13.6 ± 4.4 vs. 12.2 ± 4.5, P = 0.024; lubrication 6.9 ± 2.1 vs. 6.2 ± 2.1, P = 0.017; orgasm 10.4 ± 2.8 vs. 9.5 ± 3.2, P = 0.37; pain 10.1 ± 2.2 vs. 10.8 ± 1.9, P = 0.013; enjoyment 23.8 ± 5.8 vs. 21.3 ± 7.5, P = 0.009 and partner related 8.5 ± 1.7 vs. 7.6 ± 2.4, P = 0.005. Furthermore, the concern of losing their sexual partner was higher in the normal population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated that almost all GHQ and MSSCQ parameters were lower in RA patients, which indicates lower quality sexual life in RA patients. We recommend further consideration for the treatment and care of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Hassan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Saadat
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramezani
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Khodabakhsh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
keywords: Health; Physiological; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Sexual Dysfunction