Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Sexual function is an important yet understudied aspect of overall health and well-being in older adults. We aimed to examine sexual function and its correlates among people 50 years and older in China.
METHODS: We enrolled people aged 50 years and older recruited from four regions in China between September 2021 and July 2022 in a multicenter cross-sectional study. Data were collected through an investigator-administered questionnaire about demographic characteristics, health characteristics, and sexual function status. Logistic regression was used to assess correlates of lower sexual function (the highest quintile of the sex-specific population distribution of Natsal-SF scores [i.e., lower functioning compared with the remaining]).
RESULTS: A total of 465 women and 832 men who were sexually active in the past year were included in the analysis (mean age: 60.4 ± 7.2) [Correction added after first online publication on 12 Feb 2024. The word \"years\" has been changed to \"year\" in this sentence.]. Over a quarter of all participants were dissatisfied with their sex life. Notably, 92 women and 167 men were categorized as having a lower sexual function. Age (in men only), living in urban areas, general health status, being underweight or overweight (in men only), and having depressive symptoms were associated with lower sexual function. Among all participants, 43.1% of men and 54.0% of women experienced sexual response problems lasting 3 months or more. Less than one-third of all participants had sought help or advice for sex life in the past year.
CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction are prevalent among older adults in China and are associated with self-assessed poor health. More efforts are needed to better understand sexual health needs and tailor service provision.
METHODS: We enrolled people aged 50 years and older recruited from four regions in China between September 2021 and July 2022 in a multicenter cross-sectional study. Data were collected through an investigator-administered questionnaire about demographic characteristics, health characteristics, and sexual function status. Logistic regression was used to assess correlates of lower sexual function (the highest quintile of the sex-specific population distribution of Natsal-SF scores [i.e., lower functioning compared with the remaining]).
RESULTS: A total of 465 women and 832 men who were sexually active in the past year were included in the analysis (mean age: 60.4 ± 7.2) [Correction added after first online publication on 12 Feb 2024. The word \"years\" has been changed to \"year\" in this sentence.]. Over a quarter of all participants were dissatisfied with their sex life. Notably, 92 women and 167 men were categorized as having a lower sexual function. Age (in men only), living in urban areas, general health status, being underweight or overweight (in men only), and having depressive symptoms were associated with lower sexual function. Among all participants, 43.1% of men and 54.0% of women experienced sexual response problems lasting 3 months or more. Less than one-third of all participants had sought help or advice for sex life in the past year.
CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction are prevalent among older adults in China and are associated with self-assessed poor health. More efforts are needed to better understand sexual health needs and tailor service provision.
摘要：
背景：性功能是老年人整体健康和福祉的一个重要但尚未得到充分研究的方面。我们旨在研究中国50岁及以上人群的性功能及其相关性。
方法：我们招募了2021年9月至2022年7月从中国四个地区招募的50岁及以上的人群，进行了一项多中心横断面研究。数据是通过研究者管理的关于人口统计学特征的问卷收集的，健康特征,和性功能状况。Logistic回归用于评估较低性功能的相关性（Natsal-SF评分的特定性别人群分布的最高五分之一[即，与其余的相比，功能较低])。
结果：在过去几年中有性行为活跃的465名女性和832名男性被纳入分析（平均年龄：60.4±7.2）。超过四分之一的参与者对他们的性生活不满意。值得注意的是,92名女性和167名男性被归类为性功能较低。年龄（仅限男性），生活在城市地区，一般健康状况，体重不足或超重（仅限男性），抑郁症状与性功能降低有关。在所有参与者中，43.1%的男性和54.0%的女性经历了持续3个月或更长时间的性反应问题。在过去的一年中，不到三分之一的参与者寻求过性生活方面的帮助或建议。
结论：性功能障碍和性不满在中国老年人中普遍存在，并且与自我评估的健康状况不佳有关。需要做出更多努力来更好地了解性健康需求并量身定制服务提供。
方法：我们招募了2021年9月至2022年7月从中国四个地区招募的50岁及以上的人群，进行了一项多中心横断面研究。数据是通过研究者管理的关于人口统计学特征的问卷收集的，健康特征,和性功能状况。Logistic回归用于评估较低性功能的相关性（Natsal-SF评分的特定性别人群分布的最高五分之一[即，与其余的相比，功能较低])。
结果：在过去几年中有性行为活跃的465名女性和832名男性被纳入分析（平均年龄：60.4±7.2）。超过四分之一的参与者对他们的性生活不满意。值得注意的是,92名女性和167名男性被归类为性功能较低。年龄（仅限男性），生活在城市地区，一般健康状况，体重不足或超重（仅限男性），抑郁症状与性功能降低有关。在所有参与者中，43.1%的男性和54.0%的女性经历了持续3个月或更长时间的性反应问题。在过去的一年中，不到三分之一的参与者寻求过性生活方面的帮助或建议。
结论：性功能障碍和性不满在中国老年人中普遍存在，并且与自我评估的健康状况不佳有关。需要做出更多努力来更好地了解性健康需求并量身定制服务提供。
