This 2-year longitudinal observational study (COPERNICUS cohort, Poland) examined how changes in sexual activity relate to quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) in 199 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 69.7 ± 6 years; 80% female), adjusting for baseline QoL, demographics, marital status change, self-rated health, and depression (GDS).
Cessation of sexual activity (n = 16, 8% of sample) was independently linked to lower follow-up scores in the Social Relationships domain (Estimate = −1.66, p = 0.006) and Environmental domain (Estimate = −1.42, p = 0.007) of WHOQOL-BREF, and a lower total score (Estimate = −4.96, p = 0.006), after full covariate adjustment. Overall QoL did not change significantly across the whole sample over 2 years (p = 0.3).
- The subgroup who ceased sexual activity was very small (n = 16), limiting statistical power and generalizability. - Sexual activity was captured with a single binary self-report question; frequency, type, and relational context were not measured, so loss of penetrative sex cannot be distinguished from loss of all intimacy. - The sample was 80% female and highly educated (86% high occupational status), restricting inference to other groups.
Brief sexual health screening in routine geriatric assessments may help identify older adults at risk for psychosocial QoL decline, particularly in social and environmental well-being. Clinicians should ask about changes in sexual activity without judgment, as cessation may serve as an early marker of unmet relational or health needs.
