Berk Can Ozdemir

Pregnancy is a multidimensional process that leads to significant changes in a woman's body image and sexual life. This study aimed to examine the relationships among pelvic floor dysfunction, body image perception, and sexual desire in pregnant women in the third trimester, and to evaluate the predictive role of these variables on sexual desire. This cross-sectional study included 209 pregnant women in their third trimester (Mean age = 28.63, SD = 5.88) in the study. Participants completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), the Body Understanding Measure for Pregnancy Scale (BUMPS), the Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory-Female (SIDI-F), and the Attitude Scale Toward Sexuality During Pregnancy (ASTSP). In the third trimester, no significant differences were found between BMI subgroups in terms of pelvic floor dysfunction, sexual desire, or sexual attitudes, similar to the findings in the primigravidae and multigravidae subgroup. Correlation analyses revealed significant relationships between increased pelvic floor dysfunction and decreased sexual desire, as well as more negative sexual attitudes. On the other hand, although limited, an increase in sexual desire was observed with poorer body image perception. Regression analyses showed that pelvic floor dysfunction and body image were significant predictors of sexual desire, independent of demographic and obstetric variables. The results indicate that sexual desire during pregnancy is influenced not only by physiological factors but also by psychosocial factors such as body image and pelvic health, and it is recommended that these aspects be integrated into prenatal care processes.

Objective One of the most frequently discussed physical parameters in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is physical activity level. There is limited evidence about determinants of physical activity level in JIA. In this study, we aimed to investigate the determinants of physical activity level in children and adolescents with JIA. Materials and methods Thirty-two JIA patients and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. The age range was 8–18 years. Sociodemographic and clinical data of the participants were recorded. In both groups, anthropometry, fatigue, pain, knee extension muscle strength, gait variables, functional exercise capacity assessed by six-minute walk test (6MWT), and arterial stiffness were evaluated. Physical activity level was assessed by an accelerometer. Results The disease activity level of the patients was low. Pain and fatigue scores were significantly higher in the JIA group compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). Walking speed, physical activity level, time spent in low-intensity physical activity, time spent in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, and 6MWT distance were significantly lower than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). Quadriceps muscle strength and arterial stiffness assessment results were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). In the JIA group, there was a positive correlation between physical activity and age, height, fat-free body mass, quadriceps muscle strength, and 6MWT distance (p < 0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between physical activity and pain, fatigue, and cadence. Physical activity level was independently associated with 6MWT distance (42.9% of the variability). Conclusion In mildly affected JIA patients, gait speed, functional exercise capacity, and physical activity level are affected. Functional exercise capacity is a determinant of physical activity level in JIA.