Sexual Dysfunctions and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Aim: To determine sexual dysfunctions and urinary symptoms in male ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and their association with various disease and patient factors.

Methods: In this prospective case control study conducted at a tertiary care teaching institution, 100 males with AS were compared to 100 controls using International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a global question for overall relationship with their partners. Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), visual analogue scale pain scores, patient global assessment scale and Bath AS Disease Activity Index were also assessed in the AS group. Chi-square test, unpaired t-test and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

Results: Anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction (ED), orgasmic dysfunction, intercourse dissatisfaction, overall sexual dissatisfaction, altered overall relationship with partner and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the AS group as compared to controls. Sexual desire, severe LUTS and bothersome LUTS (quality of life score > 2) were not different (P = 0.76, 0.82 and 0.30 respectively) between the two groups. ED was associated with anxiety, depression, longer disease duration, higher BASFI and higher age in AS patients (P = 0.02, 0.001, 0.02, 0.003 and 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions: AS is associated with higher incidence of sexual dysfunction in male patients. ED is associated with anxiety, depression, longer duration of disease, higher BASFI score and higher age in AS patients.