Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Is Associated With Improved Sexual Function And Quality of Life

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate changes in sexual function and activity following arthroscopic hip surgery for femoroacetabular impingement using the United Kingdom Non-Arthroplasty Hip Registry dataset. Sub-analyses were performed between males and females, and patients over 40 and under 40 years old. MethodsPatients who had arthroscopic hip surgery between 1st January 2012 and 31st October 2020, were aged over 16, and completed the relevant PROMs were included. Question 9 of the iHOT-12 (SAQ) refers to problems with sexual activity, and responses to this were compared pre-operatively and at 6-months and 12-months post-operatively. Sub-analyses were also performed, including SAQ scores by patients’ sex or age. SAQ scores were correlated with EQ-5D-5L scores using Spearman’s rank coefficient. ResultsSAQ was answered by 2547 patients pre-operatively and at 6-months post-operatively (62.3% female, median age 36.2, IQR 29-44 years) and by 2314 at 12-months (61.9% female, median age 36.2, IQR 29-44 years). Scores for sexual activity increased from 35.0 pre-operatively to 70.0 at 6-months (p<0.001), maintained at 12-months (p<0.001). Female patients demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in their scores for sexual function from pre-operatively (median 30.0, IQR 14-50) to 6-months (median 60, IQR 28-86, p<0.001) and 12-months (median 62.0, IQR 29-90, p<0.001), compared to male patients (pre-operative median 50.0, IQR 25-84; 6-month median 80, IQR 45-97; 12-month median 80, IQR 41-98). The effect of age on improvements in sexual function did not demonstrate a significant difference. A significant positive correlation was found between improvements in sexual function and quality of life, as measured by the EQ-5D-5L, at 6-months and 12-months (p<0.001). ConclusionHip arthroscopy for symptomatic FAI produces an improvement in sexual function and activity. Scores for sexual function improved regardless of patient age or sex; however, female patients experienced a greater improvement in sexual function than males.