Abstract

FERREIRA, Manuel Branco. Questionnaire on asthma and sexual activity in allergy clinical practice. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2012, vol.20, n.3, pp.201-210. ISSN 0871-9721.

Background: Several authors have suggested that many asthmatic patients, although apparently well -controlled, may have respiratory complaints during sexual activity; however these are rarely discussed with their physicians. Objective: To assess if allergologists find relevant and question specifically their adult asthmatic patients regarding respiratory symptoms induced by sexual activity. Material and methods: We used a pre-defined 11-questions questionnaire, applied by phone, fax or e -mail, during September/2010, to about 100 allergologists who had agreed to answer a questionnaire about asthma and sexual activity in a previous contact. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 15.0 software, including the descriptive analysis of all variables and the chi -square analysis between different genders or age groups of the responders and between different questions. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: We obtained 101 valid answers (52% male allergologists), with a mean age of 51.5±7.9 years. Although 98% of physicians ask always or almost always about exercise -induced symptoms, only 11% always or almost always ask questions specifically about sex-induced respiratory symptoms. In contrast with this reduced percentage, 90% of the physicians consider themselves to be at-ease to perform this line of questioning, recognising greater ease to question younger adults (<40 years) and to question adults belonging to the same gender than the physician. Most doctors believe that their patients would accept well these types of questions and 71% believe that patients would find important to be able to discuss eventual limitations to their sexual activity, although recognising that probably a significant percentage of patients will not spontaneously put forward these type of complaints. Conclusions: Despite being considered clinically relevant and probably well-accepted by the patients, most allergologists do not usually ask their adult asthmatic patients specific questions about eventual respiratory complaints induced by sexual activity.

Keywords : Allergologists; asthma; questionnaire; sexual activity.

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