N33 Experience of inflammatory bowel disease patients in relation to the practice of anal intercourse

Abstract

Abstract Background Sexual health should be part of the management of people with chronic diseases. Receptive anal intercourse is a relatively common practice, and in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) it can be clearly compromised by the perianal and rectal involvement that many patients present. Understanding the experience of people with IBD in relation to anal intercourse will provide information to help them live their sexuality in a full and healthy way. Methods Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Creation of ad-hoc online questionnaire through the REDCap platform. The study population was people between 18 and 75 years with IBD who have or have had sexual intercourse. The survey was distributed through social networks, advanced practice nurses and patient associations (ACCU). The study was approved by the Ethical Committee for Clinical Research of Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, (reference PI-22-255, approval date November 11, 2022) Results 1111 surveys answered, 766 (68.8%) completed. Mean agewas 41.86 years (SD10.32), 560 (73.3%) were women, and 50% had a university education. Sixty per cent (460) have Crohn's disease and 765 people (75.4%) are on immunosuppressive treatment. 22.4% (171) report perianal disease. 34.8% (266) practice anal sex, of these more than 60% do not use a condom during anal sex. 7.6% clean their bowels, 32.4% dilate their anus beforehand, and 60.5% use lubricants. Injuries, tearing and bleeding are reported after anal sex, with 78.5% of women reporting pain. More than 30% think that anal sex increases the urge to go to the toilet and 22% think that it worsens their IBD. Conclusion As nurses results obtained in this study direct us towards two main themes. We have to be aware of focusing on health education for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and the prevention of possible complications produced by anal sex.