Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual function and patients' perceptions in inflammatory bowel disease: a case–control survey

  • Original Article—Alimentary Tract
  • Published:
Journal of Gastroenterology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Sexuality is important when assessing quality of life (QoL), which is often disturbed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, sexuality is not addressed in most QoL questionnaires.

Aims

To evaluate the prevalence and predisposing factors of sexual dysfunction among IBD patients, and their own perception.

Methods

A postal survey was conducted in IBD patients 25–65 years of age from two tertiary centres. Patients were asked to provide a control of the same gender and age without IBD. The questionnaire assessed patient perception of the impact of IBD on their sexuality, and also allowed calculation of the Erectile Function International Index or the Female Sexual Function Index.

Results

A total of 355 patients and 200 controls were available for the final analysis. Both groups were comparable except for a higher proportion of individuals who had been treated for depression among patients. Half of the female and one-third of the male patients considered that both sexual desire and satisfaction worsened after IBD diagnosis. As compared to controls, both men and women with IBD showed significantly lower scores in sexual function indexes, but a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction was only noticed among women. Independent predictors of sexual dysfunction among IBD patients were the use of corticosteroids in women, and the use of biological agents, depression and diabetes in men.

Conclusions

Sexuality is often disturbed in IBD patients, particularly among women. Many factors seem to contribute to worsened intimacy. Sexuality should be considered when QoL is assessed in these patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Romberg-Camps MJ, Dagnelie PC, Kester AD, Hesselink-van de Kruijs MA, Cilissen M, Engels LG, et al. Influence of phenotype at diagnosis and of other potential prognostic factors on the course of inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:371–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hoie O, Wolters FL, Riis L, Bernklev T, Aamodt G, Clofent J, et al. Low colectomy rates in ulcerative colitis in an unselected European cohort followed for 10 years. Gastroenterology. 2007;132:507–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Romberg-Camps M, Kuiper E, Schouten L, Kester A, Hesselink-van de Kruijs M, Limonard C, et al. Mortality in inflammatory bowel disease in the Netherlands 1991–2002: results of a population-based study: the IBD South-Limburg cohort. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2010;16(8):1397–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Höie O, Schouten LJ, Wolters FL, Solberg IC, Riis L, Mouzas IA, et al. Ulcerative colitis: no rise in mortality in a European-wide population based cohort 10 years after diagnosis. Gut. 2007;56(4):497–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Wolters FL, Russel MG, Sijbrandij J, Schouten LJ, Odes S, Riis L, et al. Crohn’s disease: increased mortality 10 years after diagnosis in a Europe-wide population based cohort. Gut. 2006;55(4):510–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Manninen P, Karvonen AL, Huhtala H, Rasmussen M, Salo M, Mustaniemi L, et al. Mortality in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. A population-based study in Finland. J Crohns Colitis. 2012;6(5):524–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. European Federation of Crohn’s and Colitis Associations. The IMPACT survey. http://www.efcca-solutions.net/impact. Accessed April 7, 2012.

  8. Habal FM, Huang VW. Review article: a decision-making algorithm for the management of pregnancy in the inflammatory bowel disease patient. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012;35(5):501–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mountifield R, Bampton P, Prosser R, Muller K, Andrews JM. Fear and fertility in inflammatory bowel disease: a mismatch of perception and reality affects family planning decisions. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2009;15(5):720–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Heetun ZS, Byrnes C, Neary P, O’Morain C. Review article: reproduction in the patient with inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;26(4):513–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gazzard BG, Price HL, Libby GW, Dawson AM. The social toll of Crohn′s disease. Br Med J. 1978;2:1117–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Moody G, Probert CSJ, Srivastava EM, Rhodes J, Mayberry JF. Sexual dysfunction amongst women with Crohn’s disease: a hidden problem. Digestion. 1992;52:179–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Moody G, Mayberry JF. Perceived sexual dysfunction amongst patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Digestion. 1993;54:256–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Timmer A, Bauer A, Dignass A, Rogler G. Sexual function in persons with inflammatory bowel disease: a survey with matched controls. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007;5(1):87–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Timmer A, Bauer A, Kemptner D, Fürst A, Rogler G. Determinants of male sexual function in inflammatory bowel disease: a survey-based cross-sectional analysis in 280 men. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2007;13(10):1236–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Timmer A, Kemptner D, Bauer A, Takses A, Ott C, Fürst A. Determinants of female sexual function in inflammatory bowel disease: a survey based cross-sectional analysis. BMC Gastroenterol. 2008;8:45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Muller KR, Prosser R, Bampton P, Mountifield R, Andrews JM. Female gender and surgery impair relationships, body image, and sexuality in inflammatory bowel disease: patient perceptions. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2010;16(4):657–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G, Osterloh IH, Kirkpatrick J, Mishra A. The international index of erectile function (IIEF): a multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction. Urology. 1997;49(6):822–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hendren SK, O’Connor BI, Liu M, Asano T, Cohen Z, Swallow CJ, et al. Prevalence of male and female sexual dysfunction is high following surgery for rectal cancer. Ann Surg. 2005;242(2):212–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bengtsson J, Lindholm E, Nordgren S, Berndtsson I, Oresland T, Börjesson L. Sexual function after failed ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. J Crohns Colitis. 2011;5(5):407–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, Leiblum S, Meston C, Shabsigh R, et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000;26(2):191–208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wiegel M, Meston C, Rosen R. The female sexual function index (FSFI): cross-validation and development of clinical cutoff scores. J Sex Marital Ther. 2005;31(1):1–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Zegarra L, Loza C, Pérez V. Validación psicométrioca del instrumento índice internacional de función eréctil en pacientes con disfunción eréctil en Perú. Rv Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2011;28(3):477–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Blümel JE, Binfa L, Cataldo P, Carrasco A, Izaguirre H, Sarrá S. Indice de función sexual femenina: un test para evaluar la sexualidad de la mujer. Rev Chil Obstet Ginecol. 2004;69(2):118–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Bernal I, Domènech E, Garcia-Planella E, Marín L, Mañosa M, Navarro M, et al. Medication-taking behaviour in a cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2006;51:2165–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Garcia-Planella E, Marín L, Domènech E, Bernal I, Mañosa M, Zabana Y, et al. Utilización de medicinas alternativas y consumo de drogas en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. Med Clin (Barc). 2007;128:45–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Navarro M, Mañosa M, Marín L, Domènech E, García-Castellanos R, Carrión S, et al. Fertility in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. J Crohns Colitis. 2008;2:75.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Römkens TE, Van Vugt-van Pinxteren MW, Nagengast FM, van Oijen MG, de Jong DJ. A high prevalence of fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease: case control study. J Crohns Colitis. 2011;5(4):332–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Graff LA, Vincent N, Walker JR, Clara I, Carr R, Ediger J, Miller N, et al. A population-based study of fatigue and sleep difficulties in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2011;17(9):1882–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bager P, Befrits R, Wikman O, Lindgren S, Moum B, Hjortswang H, et al. Fatigue in out-patients with inflammatory bowel disease is common and multifactorial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012;35(1):133–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Jelsness-Jørgensen LP, Bernklev T, Henriksen M, Torp R, Moum B. Chronic fatigue is associated with increased disease-related worries and concerns in inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2012;18(5):445–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. McCulloch DK, Campbell IW, Wu FC, Prescott RJ, Clarke BF. The prevalence of diabetic impotence. Diabetologia. 1980;18(4):279–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Perelman MA. Erectile dysfunction and depression: screening and treatment. Urol Clin North Am. 2011;38(2):125–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was partly supported by the “Antoni Obrador” grant from the Grupo Español de Trabajo en Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa (GETECCU).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, 5th planta, edificio general, Ctra. del Canyet s/n, 08916, Badalona, Catalonia, Spain

    Laura Marín, Míriam Mañosa, Yamile Zabana, Eduard Cabré & Eugeni Domènech

  2. Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

    Laura Marín, Esther Garcia-Planella & Jordi Gordillo

  3. Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Spain

    Míriam Mañosa, Yamile Zabana, Eduard Cabré & Eugeni Domènech

Authors
  1. Laura Marín
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Míriam Mañosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Esther Garcia-Planella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jordi Gordillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yamile Zabana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Eduard Cabré
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Eugeni Domènech
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eugeni Domènech.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marín, L., Mañosa, M., Garcia-Planella, E. et al. Sexual function and patients' perceptions in inflammatory bowel disease: a case–control survey. J Gastroenterol 48, 713–720 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-012-0700-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-012-0700-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation