Sexuality in geriatric patients: a correlation between sexual activity and quality of life of elderly men

Background: Population’s ageing is currently one of the most significant phenomena in the XXI century, with very important consequences in every section of society. Human longevity has grown in a significant way thanks to different factors, the meaningful ones are surely the adoption of modern lifestyles and the unstoppable scientific progress. All this brings to the conception that old people are facing up to a new set of stimulus and necessities that lead to sexuality, something that they would not have experienced in the past. Furthermore, there are social clicheand prejudices, which make old people’s sexuality not accepted by the community and not so interesting. In light of the above, the scientific community has started studying this fascinating theme only in the last few years. In medicine, the rising of sexual activity for old subjects has become a specific focus for geriatricians, endocrinologists and andrologists. Methods: in this descriptive cross-sectional study, we recruited 40 male subjects between 65 and 90 years old (mean age 75.4). Through the employment of specific tests, we collected data referred to some aspects: sexual function, cognitive state, mood tone and quality of life in general. Data has been elaborated with a descriptive and an inferential statistical analysis (Linear and Multiple Regression). Results: the aim of the study is to verify a possible relationship between presence/absence of sexual behavior and individual’s quality of life. Results of the multiple regression show that: the maintenance of a good erectile function, and consequently possible satisfactory sexual acts, increases the quality of life in elderly men (p = 0.022058). on the contrary, a low mood tone negatively affects their standard of living (p = 0.000351). Therefore, in common words, being happy and peaceful, with a still active sexual life, enhances the quality of life in advanced age. Conclusions: this study demonstrates that maintaining a sense of happiness, along with an active sexual life, significantly enhances the quality of life in advanced age.

Sexuality; Old man; Affectivity; Quality of life; Wellness

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