title: Factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Taiwanese females with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may experience sexual dysfunction because of symptoms or adverse effects from treatments. Data on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Asian females with RA issue are limited. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with FSD in Taiwanese patients with RA.
  
  
  
  This cross-sectional study used a purposive sampling method to recruit 195 females with RA from a single hospital in southern Taiwan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained by review of medical records and a structured questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Female Sexual Function Index and the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire were also administered. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with FSD.
  
  
  
  The crude and age-standardized prevalence of FSD were 66.8% and 48.2%, respectively. Patients who were older, with a comorbid condition, with more depressive symptoms, and with greater disease activity had a significantly higher risk of FSD.
  
  
  
  Our findings indicate that FSD is more common in Taiwanese individuals with RA who have certain specific demographic and clinical characteristics. These findings may help to identify and facilitate the provision of appropriate interventions to ensure better sexual health in female patients with RA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, 2 Minsheng Road, Dalin Township, Chiayi, 62247, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Miao-Chiu
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, 2 Minsheng Road, Dalin Township, Chiayi, 62247, Taiwan.|School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, 701 Jhongyang Road Section 3, Hualien, 97004, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 97207-0751, USA.
authors.forename: Hanoch
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Livneh
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, 2 Minsheng Road, Dalin Township, Chiayi, 62247, Taiwan.|School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, 701 Jhongyang Road Section 3, Hualien, 97004, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ning-Sheng
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan. hrguo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.|Occupational Safety, Health, and Medicine Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan. hrguo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.|Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan. hrguo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
authors.forename: How-Ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan. dm732024@tzuchi.com.tw.|Department of Medical Research, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, 2 Minsheng Rd., Dalin Township, Chiayi, 62247, Taiwan. dm732024@tzuchi.com.tw.|Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, 880 Chien-Kuo Road Section 2, Hualien, 62247, Taiwan. dm732024@tzuchi.com.tw.
authors.forename: Tzung-Yi
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Female; Rheumatoid arthritis; Sexual dysfunction; Taiwan