TITLE:
Detecting decreased sexual health with MDHAQ-S
AUTHORS:
Kristina Areskoug-Josefsson, Charlotte Ekdahl, Ulf Jakobsson, Gunvor Gard
KEYWORDS:
Sexual Health; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Mixed Methods; Rehabilitation; Health Assessement
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.6B,
June
17,
2013
ABSTRACT: There are instruments that measure
sexual function or sexual health for persons with RA, but since sexual health
is a sensitive issue, the hypothesis is that it would be easier to have a
standard questionnaire that could indicate the need for communication about
sexual health issues instead of an extra questionnaire with more detailed
questions on sexual health. The aim of the study is to find out whether sexual
health difficulties can be screened by factors included in the MDHAQ-S for
persons with RA. This study explores the relation between factors included in
the MDHAQ-S and the Sexual Health Questionnaire (QSH) using a mixed methods
design combining quantitative and qualitative data. The MDHAQ-S covers sexual
health issues, not only by using the question on sexual health, but also on
other factors included in the questionnaire such as increased pain, fatigue,
depression, anxiety, physical capacity, level of physiccal activity and
body weight. To explore decreased sexual arousal, decreased sexual satisfaction
and decreased sexual well-being, in-depth interviews must be held with persons
with RA, either using a sexual health questionnaire or in a clinical interview.