Abstract
BackgroundSexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COPD on patient’s sexuality and the explanatory variables of sexual dissatisfaction.MethodsQuestionnaires were emailed to participants and they submitted their responses on the Santé Respiratoire France website. Data about sexual well-being (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, ASEX), Quality of life (VQ11), anxiety, depression (Hospitalized anxiety and depression, HAD) and self-declared COPD grade were collected.ResultsSeven hundred and fifty one subjects were included and were characterized as follows: women—51%, mean age—61 years, in a couple—62% and 70%—retired. Every grade of COPD was represented. Out of 751 participants, 301 participants (40%) had no sexual activity and 450 (60%) had sexual activity. From the 450 participants, 60% needed to change their sexual life because of their disease (rhythm, frequency and position). Subjects often used medications to improve sexual performance (43% used short-acting bronchodilator and 13% -specific erectile dysfunction drugs). ASEX questionnaire confirmed patients’ dissatisfaction (diminution of sexual appetite for 68% and sexual desire for 60%) because of breathlessness and fatigue. Eighty one percent of the responders had an altered quality of life (VQ11 mean score 35) and frequent suspected anxiety or depression (HAD mean score 10.8). Ninety percent declared that sexual dysfunction had never been discussed by their doctors, while 36% of patients would have preferred to undergo a specialized consultation.ConclusionSexual dysfunction is frequent among COPD patients and leads to an altered well-being, however being a cultural taboo, it remains frequently neglected. Sexual guidance should be a part of patient’s consultations improve quality of sexual life.
Highlights
Sexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstruc‐ tive pulmonary disease (COPD)
The effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice, partly because patients often feel uncomfortable talking about their sexuality with healthcare providers [3, 4, 7, 11] and because healthcare providers are reluctant to address these issues
Most of the previous studies have focused on male impotence, and only two studies included women with COPD [8,9,10], our study indicates a dissatisfaction related to sexual activity within both genders
Summary
Sexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstruc‐ tive pulmonary disease (COPD). Good sexual health requires a positive and Zysman et al Respir Res (2020) 21:311 fatigue and reduced physical activity have an adverse effect on sexual activity [8,9,10]. Despite these detrimental consequences, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice, partly because patients often feel uncomfortable talking about their sexuality with healthcare providers [3, 4, 7, 11] and because healthcare providers are reluctant to address these issues.
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