A cross sectional study on female sexual function following pelvic radiotherapy.

Abstract

e24051 Background: Pelvic radiotherapy (PRT) is an integral part of treatment in many pelvic cancers. PRT is associated with multiple organic changes in the genital area that have the potential to negatively impact female sexuality and quality of life. Fear of cancer transmission and stigma associated can result in lack of sexual activity and many women get abandoned by their partners. Often this topic is neglected and limited studies are available assessing female sexual function (FSF) especially from Indian subcontinent. This study was an attempt to assess the FSF in patients who had received PRT as part of their curative treatment for pelvic malignancy. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in January 2022. Study included female patients who received RT for pelvic malignancy. Patients with a minimum of 6 months follow up after RT with clinical complete response, sexually active before start of treatment & living with their partners at time of study were included. Demographic profile was collected from treatment records. Socioeconomic status calculated using updated B J Prasad’s scale. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used with score ≤ 26 indicating female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Questionnaire was filled by patients under supervision of a trained staff. 6 domains of sexual function i.e. desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm satisfaction & pain were studied. Patients reporting zero score in any of the domain indicating no sexual activity in the last 4 weeks were also included. Results: 38 eligible patients with age range from 34-69 years, mean age 51 years, 37% patients were > 60 years. All were house wives, 40% illiterate, 50% high school & below, 10% were above high school. 70% were from rural area. 13% belonged to upper class, 35% upper middle & middle class, 52% to lower middle and lower class. Commonest diagnosis was carcinoma cervix (86%) followed by endometrium (10%) & anorectum (4%). All patients with carcinoma cervix received radical chemoRT. Patients with Ca Endometrium were postoperative. 92% of all patients received pelvic EBRT & 3% only vault brachytherapy. The mean duration from completion of RT was 17 months (range 6 – 41 months). FSD was found in 89%. Age wise mean scores in six domains of FSFI & overall score is illustrated in the table. 0 score in at least one of the domain was reported by 65% patients. Conclusions: Study showed a very high incidence of FSD among pelvic cancer survivors after RT. Since there are limited data in this domain from Indian patients, this can become baseline data for further studies. Our data is limited by lack of comparison of FSD from age adjusted healthy females of this region.[Table: see text]