Sexual Difficulties in the Population with Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Katz, H; Newton-John, TRO; Shires, A

Sexual Difficulties in the Population with Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Katz, H Newton-John, TRO Shires, A

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Publisher:: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-02-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Katz, H
dc.contributor.author	Newton-John, TRO
dc.contributor.author	Shires, A
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-15T10:26:50Z
dc.date.available	2021-03-15T10:26:50Z
dc.date.issued	2021-02-12
dc.identifier.citation	Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 2021
dc.identifier.issn	1526-2375
dc.identifier.issn	1526-4637
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/147175
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Objective</h4>To review the current literature on the nature and prevalence of sexual difficulties in the population with chronic musculoskeletal pain, as well as to identify the biopsychosocial factors that maintain these difficulties.<h4>Design</h4>Systematic review.<h4>Methods</h4>Studies were found by using multiple electronic databases and examining reference lists. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were eligible for review. Data were extracted and characteristics were described for outcomes of interest (i.e., sexual dysfunction, pain condition, pain intensity, psychosocial factors, gender differences). Cochrane Risk of Bias was assessed for all included studies.<h4>Results</h4>Ten studies (2,941 participants) were included in the review. Musculoskeletal conditions included low back pain and fibromyalgia. All studies examining sexual functioning found evidence of sexual difficulty among patients with chronic pain. Three studies demonstrated that sexual dysfunction was significantly greater in patients than in healthy matched controls. Nine studies found that greater pain levels significantly correlated with greater sexual dysfunction. Eight studies noted an increased prevalence of sexual difficulties in those with comorbid psychological problems. Heterogeneity between studies was identified, particularly with regard to gender outcomes. The risk-of-bias assessment also highlighted limitations in approximately half of studies.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This review reiterates the importance of investigating sexual functioning in the chronic musculoskeletal pain population, given the high prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain across all age bands. Given methodological limitations, future research should develop measures that sensitively cater to the various needs of patients with chronic pain. By modifying assessment to include biopsychosocial concerns, practitioners can tailor treatment to address transdiagnostic factors that maintain sexual dysfunction.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Oxford University Press (OUP)
dc.relation.ispartof	Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1093/pm/pnaa451
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Anesthesiology
dc.title	Sexual Difficulties in the Population with Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHT - Health Technologies
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Clinical Psychology
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-03-15T10:26:49Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Objective

To review the current literature on the nature and prevalence of sexual difficulties in the population with chronic musculoskeletal pain, as well as to identify the biopsychosocial factors that maintain these difficulties.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

Studies were found by using multiple electronic databases and examining reference lists. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were eligible for review. Data were extracted and characteristics were described for outcomes of interest (i.e., sexual dysfunction, pain condition, pain intensity, psychosocial factors, gender differences). Cochrane Risk of Bias was assessed for all included studies.

Results

Ten studies (2,941 participants) were included in the review. Musculoskeletal conditions included low back pain and fibromyalgia. All studies examining sexual functioning found evidence of sexual difficulty among patients with chronic pain. Three studies demonstrated that sexual dysfunction was significantly greater in patients than in healthy matched controls. Nine studies found that greater pain levels significantly correlated with greater sexual dysfunction. Eight studies noted an increased prevalence of sexual difficulties in those with comorbid psychological problems. Heterogeneity between studies was identified, particularly with regard to gender outcomes. The risk-of-bias assessment also highlighted limitations in approximately half of studies.

Conclusions

This review reiterates the importance of investigating sexual functioning in the chronic musculoskeletal pain population, given the high prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain across all age bands. Given methodological limitations, future research should develop measures that sensitively cater to the various needs of patients with chronic pain. By modifying assessment to include biopsychosocial concerns, practitioners can tailor treatment to address transdiagnostic factors that maintain sexual dysfunction.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/147175