Women's experiences of sexual health when living with Rheumatoid Arthritis - an explorative qualitative study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Gunvor Gard¹  Kristina Areskoug Josefsson² 

[1] Dept of Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00, Lund, Sweden;Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health Sciences, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden;Dept of Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00, Lund, Sweden;Samrehab, Värnamo Hospital, 331 85 Värnamo, Sweden;

关键词: Rheumatoid Arthritis;    Sexual Activity;    Sexual Intercourse;    Sexual Health;    Sexual Desire;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2474-11-240

 received in 2009-10-29, accepted in 2010-10-15,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe ICF core sets for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) acknowledge sexual function and intimate relationships as important since the patients' sexual health can be affected by the disease. About 36-70% of all RA-patients experience a reduced sexual health, and their perceived problems are directly or indirectly caused by their disease. Physiotherapy is often used as non-pharmacological treatment for RA. Mobility treatment, pain reduction, and physical activities are often included in physiotherapy for patients with RA. The aim of the study was to explore sexual health in relation to physiotherapy in women living with RA.MethodAn explorative qualitative interview study with a phenomenological approach was performed. The study consisted of ten interviews with women with RA. The analysis was performed according to Giorgi.ResultsThe main theme that emerged in the material was that the body and the total life situation affected sexual health. Three categories were included in the theme: 1) sexual health - physical and psychological dimensions, 2) Impacts of RA, and 3) Possibilities to increase sexual health - does physiotherapy make a difference?ConclusionsSexual health was affected by RA in different ways for the informants. Possibilities to improve sexual health were improved partner communication and physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can play an active role in improving sexual health for patients with RA.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Josefsson and Gard; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010