In absence of previous studies, we assessed how gout impacts relationship and intimacy with spouse/significant other. We enrolled a convenience sample of consecutive patients with doctor-diagnosed gout from a community-based outpatient clinic. Nominal groups were conducted until saturation was achieved. Responses were collected verbatim, discussed and then rank-ordered by each participant with votes. Forty-four patients with gout participated in 14 nominal groups, seven male only groups, six female only groups and one group had people with both sexes. Overall, the mean age was 61.7 years (SD, 12.2), mean gout duration was 11.8 years (SD, 11.8), 50% were men, 68% African-American, 43% retired, 48% currently married, 94% were using either allopurinol and/or febuxostat, and 39% had had no gout flares in the last 6 months. The top five responses accounted for 75% of all votes and included physical (28%) or emotional impact (17.4%) on intimacy, disability (12.9%), issues with trust/understanding (10.6%) and social life interference (6.8%). When examining the top-rated concern for each nominal group, physical impact on intimacy was ranked top by eight nominal groups; and emotional impact on intimacy, physical function limitation, trust issues/understanding by two nominal groups each. There were no differences evident by patient gender in the concern that was top-ranked. Gout significantly impacts relationship and intimacy with spouse/significant other. Our observation of the physical and emotional impact of gout on intimacy should lead to studies to understand this further and assess if more optimal gout control can improve sex lives of people with gout.

中文翻译：

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痛风和性功能：患者对痛风如何影响人际关系和亲密关系的看法


在之前没有研究的情况下，我们评估了痛风如何影响与配偶/重要其他人的关系和亲密程度。我们从社区门诊诊所连续招募了医生诊断为痛风的患者作为方便样本。进行名义组直至达到饱和。逐字收集回复，进行讨论，然后由每个参与者通过投票进行排名。 44 名痛风患者参加了 14 个名义组，其中 7 个只有男性组，6 个只有女性组，还有一组有男女。总体而言，平均年龄为 61.7 岁（SD，12.2），平均痛风持续时间为 11.8 年（SD，11.8），50% 为男性，68% 为非洲裔美国人，43% 已退休，48% 已婚，94% 正在使用药物别嘌呤醇和/或非布索坦，39% 在过去 6 个月内没有痛风发作。排名前五的回答占所有投票的 75%，包括对亲密关系的身体（28%）或情感影响（17.4%）、残疾（12.9%）、信任/理解问题（10.6%）和社交生活干扰（6.8%） ）。在检查每个名义群体最关心的问题时，八个名义群体中，身体对亲密关系的影响排名最高；以及两个名义群体对亲密关系、身体功能限制、信任问题/理解的情感影响。在排名最高的问题中，患者性别没有明显差异。痛风会严重影响与配偶/重要他人的关系和亲密程度。我们对痛风对亲密关系的身体和情感影响的观察应该导致研究进一步了解这一点，并评估更优化的痛风控制是否可以改善痛风患者的性生活。