Associations of gender with sexual functioning, loneliness, depression, fatigue and physical function amongst patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis with a particular focus on methotrexate usage
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Associations of gender with sexual functioning, loneliness, depression, fatigue and physical function amongst patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis with a particular focus on methotrexate usage. / Bay, Laila T; Nielsen, Dorthe S; Flurey, Caroline; Giraldi, Annamaria; Möller, Sören; Graugaard, Christian; Ellingsen, Torkell.
I: Rheumatology International, Bind 44, Nr. 5, 2024, s. 919-931.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Associations of gender with sexual functioning, loneliness, depression, fatigue and physical function amongst patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis with a particular focus on methotrexate usage
AU - Bay, Laila T
AU - Nielsen, Dorthe S
AU - Flurey, Caroline
AU - Giraldi, Annamaria
AU - Möller, Sören
AU - Graugaard, Christian
AU - Ellingsen, Torkell
N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - There is a lack of knowledge regarding methotrexate (MTX) usage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its possible links with gender, disease characterization and sexual functioning, loneliness, fatigue and depression. We, therefore, investigated the associations of gender with physical function, fatigue, depression, loneliness and sexual functioning with a particular focus on MTX usage. A cross-sectional study design was used. Inclusion criteria were RA diagnosis, age above 18 years and available data on MTX treatment 1 year after diagnosis. Data consisted of responses from validated questionnaires regarding physical function, fatigue, depression, loneliness and sexual functioning combined with evaluations from medical records. Data were analysed with linear regression models comparing numerical outcome measures between male and female patients and between MTX users and MTX non-users. Amongst 286 patients with RA (69 men and 217 women), 67.8% were MTX users 1 year after diagnosis. Comparing women and men, both overall and within subgroups of MTX usage, we found significantly more adverse outcomes for women than men in physical functioning at diagnosis and in sexual function, depression, fatigue and physical functioning at enrolment in the study. Gender differences were also present when comparing MTX users with MTX non-users divided by gender. There were only significant differences in the HAQ and loneliness scores when comparing MTX users with MTX non-users. Women with RA had more negative outcomes measured by the selected PROMs compared to men with RA, both overall and in subgroups of users and non-users of MTX. These findings call for sharpened attention to the importance of gender in the treatment and care of patients with RA, as well as in future clinical research.
AB - There is a lack of knowledge regarding methotrexate (MTX) usage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its possible links with gender, disease characterization and sexual functioning, loneliness, fatigue and depression. We, therefore, investigated the associations of gender with physical function, fatigue, depression, loneliness and sexual functioning with a particular focus on MTX usage. A cross-sectional study design was used. Inclusion criteria were RA diagnosis, age above 18 years and available data on MTX treatment 1 year after diagnosis. Data consisted of responses from validated questionnaires regarding physical function, fatigue, depression, loneliness and sexual functioning combined with evaluations from medical records. Data were analysed with linear regression models comparing numerical outcome measures between male and female patients and between MTX users and MTX non-users. Amongst 286 patients with RA (69 men and 217 women), 67.8% were MTX users 1 year after diagnosis. Comparing women and men, both overall and within subgroups of MTX usage, we found significantly more adverse outcomes for women than men in physical functioning at diagnosis and in sexual function, depression, fatigue and physical functioning at enrolment in the study. Gender differences were also present when comparing MTX users with MTX non-users divided by gender. There were only significant differences in the HAQ and loneliness scores when comparing MTX users with MTX non-users. Women with RA had more negative outcomes measured by the selected PROMs compared to men with RA, both overall and in subgroups of users and non-users of MTX. These findings call for sharpened attention to the importance of gender in the treatment and care of patients with RA, as well as in future clinical research.
KW - Humans
KW - Female
KW - Male
KW - Adolescent
KW - Methotrexate/adverse effects
KW - Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects
KW - Loneliness
KW - Cross-Sectional Studies
KW - Depression
KW - Arthritis, Rheumatoid
KW - Fatigue/complications
KW - Treatment Outcome
U2 - 10.1007/s00296-024-05555-y
DO - 10.1007/s00296-024-05555-y
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38483561
VL - 44
SP - 919
EP - 931
JO - Rheumatology International
JF - Rheumatology International
SN - 0172-8172
IS - 5
ER -
ID: 387438275