Table 1.

Composite ranking of statements for each viewpoint

Statement		‘Arthritis negatively affects my sex life’	‘I am keeping up appearances’	‘I am satisfied with my sex life’
1	I am satisfied with my sex life‡§¶	−2**	+3**	+4**
2	Sex is important to my quality of life‡	0**	+3	+4
3	I enjoy sex less because of my arthritis	−1	+1	−1
4	My sex life has changed because of my arthritis‡§¶	0*	+2*	−1**
5	I have sex less frequently because of my arthritis¶	+1	+1	−1**
6	Pain caused by my arthritis has a negative impact on my sex life¶	+4	+4	+1**
7	Fatigue has a negative impact on my sex life§	+4	0**	+3
8	Gloom has a negative impact on my sex life§	+2	−1**	+3
9	Sex has become less spontaneous due to my arthritis¶	+2	+1	−1**
10	I find it difficult that fluctuations in the severity of my illness make my sex life unpredictable‡	+3**	−1	0
11	My sexual problems are the same as those present in healthy men‡§¶	−4**	0**	+3**
12	I have fewer sexual thoughts because of my arthritis	−3	−2	−2
13	It is more difficult to get aroused because of my arthritis¶	−1	−1	−3*
14	My sexual desire is reduced because of my arthritis†	−2	−1	−2
15	There are things I would like to do during sex (postures/movements) that I cannot do because of my illnessद	+3**	+1**	0**
16	I have trouble getting and/or keeping an erection due to my arthritis‡	+1**	−4	−4
17	I don't want to start having sex because I am afraid that I will have to stop halfway through my arthritis ‡	0**	−2	−2
18	I am having problems masturbating due to my arthritis	−3	−3	−1
19	I feel less masculine because of my arthritis¶	0	−1	−2**
20	I feel less attractive because of my arthritis¶	+1	+2	−3**
21	The physical changes make me feel less confident about sex¶	+2	+2	0**
22	My sex life must be included in the choice of my treatment‡	0**	+2	+2
23	I have the need to discuss the effects of my arthritis and treatment on my sex life with my healthcare provider†	+1	0	+1
24	I have a hard time talking about my sex life with my healthcare provider‡	−1**	+1	+1
25	I prefer to search online for information about the effects of my arthritis and treatment on my sex life¶	−1	0	+2*
26	I feel like I am the only one with sexual problems caused by my arthritis¶	−2	−2	+1**
27	I find it difficult to discuss sexual problems with a partner§	−2	0**	−3
28	My sexual problems make it difficult to be in a relationship¶	−3	−3	0**
29	I feel guilty towards my partner because of the limitations of my arthritis‡	+3**	0	0
30	Intimacy has become more important than sex†	+2	+3	+1
31	For me, sex is only important if I want a child†	−4	−4	−4
32	The relationship with my partner has improved because of my arthritis¶	−1	−2	+2**
33	My partner understands my sexual problemsद	+1**	+4**	+2**
34	I sometimes have sex only because I don't want to disappoint my partner§	0	−3**	0

*p<0.05, **p<0.01 versus all other factors.

†Consensus statement.

‡Distinguishing statement for viewpoint 1.

§Distinguishing statement for viewpoint 2.

¶Distinguishing statement for viewpoint 3.