P1006 Assessing sexual health care needs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Optimal care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should encompass both physical and mental health. Sexual health is often overlooked, despite contributing significantly to patient quality of life. This study aims to further characterise the impacts of IBD on sexual health using an IBD specific scale and assess patient interest in accessing relevant expertise. Methods An electronic survey was emailed to patients with IBD at a tertiary public hospital using REDCap. Assessment of disease severity was based on clinical disease indices: Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) for patients with Crohn’s disease (CD); and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The survey also contains de-identified demographic data, basic information about the participant’s IBD and questions derived from both the validated IBD-Specific Female Sexual Dysfunction and IBD-Male Sexual Dysfunction Scales. Comparisons of patient responses from those with clinically active versus inactive disease were made using Fisher’s exact test. Analysis was exploratory and no correction for multiple comparisons was made. Results A total of 101 participants took the survey, including 53 females and 48 males which comprised of 38 patients with UC, 57 with CD, three with indeterminate colitis (and three unsure of diagnosis). Age ranged from 18 to 81 years old with a median of 38; 90% of patients had a disease duration of at least 2 years. Patients with CD recorded a median HBI of five (interquartile range three to nine). Patients with UC recorded a median SCCAI of two (interquartile range one to four). Patients with clinically active CD trended toward more significant sexual dysfunction than those in remission across all domains in the sexual dysfunction scale. Patients with active CD were more likely to report that their disease had prevented engagement in sexual activity in the past year (p=0.04) and more likely to be afraid to participate in sexual activity (p=0.01) compared to those in remission. Patients with active UC were more likely to report that pelvic pain affected sexual activity (p=0.03) compared to those in remission. Regarding seeking additional support, 47% of all patients expressed interest in gaining assistance though only 20% have attempted to seek this advice. 36% of participants would wish to be contacted by their treating team if a sexual health service became available at their hospital. Conclusion Patients with more active IBD were more likely to report that their illness negatively impacts their sexual health. 74% of participants reported interest in accessing expert advice regarding sexual health, highlighting the need for services specifically addressing sexual health for IBD patients.