Breathlessness and sexual activity in older adults: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Ekström, Magnus; Johnson, Miriam J.; Taylor, Bridget; Luszcz, Mary; Wohland, Pia; Ferreira, Diana H.; Currow, David C.

Abstract

© 2018 The Author(s). Sexual activity is important to older adults (65 +). Breathlessness affects about 25% of older adults but impact on sexual activity is unknown. We evaluated the relationships between breathlessness and sexual inactivity and self-reported health among older community-dwelling adults in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Associations between self-reported breathlessness (hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill) at baseline, self-reported sexual activity, overall health and health compared to people of the same age were explored using logistic regression at baseline and 2 years, adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, marital status, smoking status and co-morbidities). Of 798 participants (mean age 76.4 years [SD, 5.8] 65 to 103; 53% men, 73% married), 688 (86.2%) had 2-year follow-up data. People with breathlessness had higher prevalence and duration of sexual inactivity (77.7% vs. 65.6%; p < 0.001; 12 [IQR, 5-17] vs. 9.5 [IQR, 5-16] years; p = 0.043). Breathlessness was associated with more sexual inactivity, (adjusted OR 1.75; [95% CI] 1.24-2.45), worse health (adjusted OR 2.02; 1.53-2.67) and worse health compared to peers (adjusted OR 1.72; 1.25-2.38). Baseline breathlessness did not predict more sexual inactivity at 2 years. In conclusion, breathlessness contributes to sexual inactivity and worse perceived health in older adults, which calls for improved assessment and management.

Citation

Ekström, M., Johnson, M. J., Taylor, B., Luszcz, M., Wohland, P., Ferreira, D. H., & Currow, D. C. (2018). Breathlessness and sexual activity in older adults: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 28(1), Article 20 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41533-018-0090-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 30, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 22, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jul 19, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 19, 2018
• Journal: npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine
• Electronic ISSN: 2055-1010
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 20 (2018)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41533-018-0090-x
• Keywords: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/935902
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41533-018-0090-x
• Contract Date: Jul 19, 2018