A importância dos indicadores biomédicos no funcionamento sexual em adultos portugueses saudáveis / The importance of biomedical indicators in sexual functioning in healthy Portuguese adults

Introdução: Na presente investigação pretendeu-se analisar a influência de indicadores biomédicos, tais como o índice de massa corporal, glicémia, colesterol total, triglicerídeos, pressão arterial sistólica e pressão arterial diastólica, no funcionamento sexual em adultos portugueses. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída por 225 indivíduos saudáveis (não fumadores, mulheres não tomando pílula contracetiva), entre os 18 e os 89 anos (média = 41), 107 do sexo masculino e 117 do feminino. Aplicaram-se um questionário sociodemográfico, a versão portuguesa do Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ), e dispositivos de medida de indicadores biomédicos. Resultados: Dos participantes, 59,6% (n = 134) apresentaram níveis para o funcionamento sexual global abaixo dos valores esperados, os homens pontuaram melhor funcionamento sexual global quando comparados com as mulheres, assim como o grupo dos participantes mais novos. Destacam-se os níveis de correlação significativa entre o IMC (r = −0,253; p < 0,001), a glicémia (r = −0,230; p < 0,001), o colesterol total (r = −0,144; p < 0,05) e o funcionamento sexual. O modelo de regressão hierárquica permitiu demonstrar o efeito mediador das variáveis biomédicas sobre o funcionamento sexual, explicou 31% (r2 = 0,31; p < 0,001) da variância total. Discussão e conclusões: Esta investigação permite evidenciar a importância dos indicadores biomédicos no funcionamento sexual, ajuda os técnicos que trabalhem nessa área a estarem atentos ao modo como os contextos biomédicos interferem na expressã̃o sexual

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biomedical indicators, such as body mass index, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, on sexual functioning in Portuguese adults. Methods: The sample consisted of 225 healthy individuals (non-smokers, women not taking contraceptive pill), aged 18-89 years (mean = 41 years), of whom 107 were males and 117 females. A Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Portuguese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ) and biomedical indicators measurement devices were applied. Results: 59.6% (N = 134) of the participants presented levels for global sexual functioning below the expected values. Men scored better overall sexual functioning when compared to women, as well as the group of younger participants. Significant correlational values between BMI (r = −253, p <.001), glycemic index (r = −.230, p <.001), total cholesterol (r = −144, p < .05) and sexual functioning were obtained. The hierarchical regression model allowed to demonstrate the mediating effect of the biomedical variables on sexual functioning, explaining 31% (r2 = .31; p <.001) of the total variance. Discussion and conclusions: This research makes it possible to highlight the importance of biomedical indicators in sexual functioning, helping professionals working in this area to be aware of how biomedical contexts interfere with sexual expression

[The importance of biomedical indicators in sexual functioning in healthy Portuguese adults]. / A importância dos indicadores biomédicos no funcionamento sexual em adultos portugueses saudáveis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biomedical indicators, such as body mass index, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, on sexual functioning in Portuguese adults. METHODS: The sample consisted of 225 healthy individuals (non-smokers, women not taking contraceptive pill), aged 18-89 years (mean = 41 years), of whom 107 were males and 117 females. A Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Portuguese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ) and biomedical indicators measurement devices were applied. RESULTS: 59.6% (N = 134) of the participants presented levels for global sexual functioning below the expected values. Men scored better overall sexual functioning when compared to women, as well as the group of younger participants. Significant correlational values between BMI (r = -253, p <.001), glycemic index (r = -.230, p <.001), total cholesterol (r = -144, p < .05) and sexual functioning were obtained. The hierarchical regression model allowed to demonstrate the mediating effect of the biomedical variables on sexual functioning, explaining 31% (r2 = .31; p <.001) of the total variance. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This research makes it possible to highlight the importance of biomedical indicators in sexual functioning, helping professionals working in this area to be aware of how biomedical contexts interfere with sexual expression.