Sexual health in rheumatic diseases: an unmet need in patient-centered care.

Abstract

Sexual health is increasingly recognized as an important component of patient-centered care in rheumatology. Despite its relevance to quality of life, relationships, emotional well-being, and social participation, it remains insufficiently addressed in both clinical practice and research. Current assessment approaches often focus on sexual dysfunction and physiological performance, overlooking broader dimensions of sexual health. Furthermore, available patient-reported outcome measures were not developed specifically for most rheumatic diseases and frequently fail to capture disease-specific challenges. This editorial discusses the limitations of existing approaches, highlights the need for more comprehensive assessment strategies, and argues for the integration of sexual health into routine rheumatology care and research agendas.