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RESEARCH PRODUCT
The relationship between chronic diseases and number of sexual partners: an exploratory analysis
Ahmet Turan IsikPinar SoysalSarah E JacksonSuzanna E. ForwoodLin YangLee SmithNicola VeroneseIgor Grabovacsubject
MaleAgingLongitudinal studySexual activitymacromolecular substancesLogistic regressionOdds03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineSelf-rated healthRisk FactorsOdds RatiomedicineHumansexual partnersLongitudinal Studies030212 general & internal medicineRisk factorCorrelation of DataStrokeAgedSelf-rated healthCancerbusiness.industryObstetrics and GynecologyCanceran exploratory analysis- BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH cilt.46 ss.100-107 2020 [Grabovac I. Smith L. Yang L. SOYSAL P. Veronese N. Isik A. T. Forwood S. Jackson S. -The relationship between chronic diseases and number of sexual partners]Number of sexual partnersMiddle AgedHealth outcomesmedicine.diseaseCausalityStrokeCross-Sectional StudiesLogistic ModelsSexual PartnersEnglandReproductive Medicine030220 oncology & carcinogenesisFemalebusinesschronic diseaseDemographydescription
BackgroundWe investigated sex-specific associations between lifetime number of sexual partners and several health outcomes in a large sample of older adults in England.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from 2537 men and 3185 women aged ≥50 years participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants reported the number of sexual partners they had had in their lifetime. Outcomes were self-rated health and self-reported limiting long-standing illness, cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke. We used logistic regression to analyse associations between lifetime number of sexual partners and health outcomes, adjusted for relevant sociodemographic and health-related covariates.ResultsHaving had 10 or more lifetime sexual partners was associated with higher odds of reporting a diagnosis of cancer than having had 0–1 sexual partners in men (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.83) and women (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.51), respectively. Women who had 10 or more lifetime sexual partners also had higher odds of reporting a limiting long-standing illness (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.35). No other statistically significant associations were observed.ConclusionsA higher lifetime number of sexual partners is associated with increased odds of reported cancer. Longitudinal research is required to establish causality. Understanding the predictive value of lifetime number of sexual partners as a behavioural risk factor may improve clinical assessment of cancer risk in older adults.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-01-01 |