Sexual function following hysterectomy for endometrial cancer: A five-year follow up investigation

Preoperative quality of life at time of gynecologic surgery: considerations for postoperative management

BACKGROUND

Patients presenting for gynecologic surgery are a heterogeneous group. Preoperative quality of life may be a useful tool to guide postoperative management.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the key drivers of preoperative quality of life to improve counseling and postoperative management.

STUDY DESIGN

This study analyzed preoperative survey results from 154 participants using the following surveys: National Institutes of Health Toolbox Global Health v1.2, Gastrointestinal: Gas and Bloating v1.1 13a, Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea v1.0 6a, and Sexual Function and Satisfaction Brief Profile (Female) v2.0, Perceived Stress Scale, the Vaginal Assessment Scale, and the Vulvar Assessment Scale. Survey results in the form of T-scores were compared in patients with endometrial cancer and patients with benign gynecologic conditions using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The multivariate analysis was performed using linear regression to adjust the comparisons for age, body mass index, and comorbidity.

RESULTS

Of the 154 patients, preoperative diagnosis was benign in 66% (n=102) and endometrial cancer in 34% (n=52). Patients with endometrial cancer were more likely to be older, non-White, in lower income brackets, have higher body mass index, and be postmenopausal (P<.05). Although preoperative global health scores were similar between benign and malignant cases (P>.05), when adjusted for age, the differences in global health quality of life between patients with benign gynecologic conditions and those with endometrial cancer became significant, because the endometrial cancer group was older than the benign group (P<.05). However, when adjusting for age, body mass index, and comorbidities (hypertension and diabetes), the differences were no longer significant (P>.05). Sexual interest was decreased in the patients with endometrial cancer both in the unadjusted and adjusted model; and vulvar complaints became significantly different between the groups when controlling for body mass index, age, and comorbidities (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Despite substantial differences in preoperative diagnosis, preoperative quality of life is highly influenced by age, body mass index, and comorbidities. Therefore, these factors should be explored in surgical outcomes and postoperative management trials.

Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Cancer: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies

BACKGROUND

Several factors affect sexual function, including cancer development and treatment. This study summarized the risk of women with cancer of developing sexual dysfunctions.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched the EMBASE, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the descriptors cancer, neoplasms, sexual dysfunction, sexual function, and women. The Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies assessed the quality of studies.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included in this review. Women with cancer presented sexual dysfunctions in 14 out of 16 included studies. The incidence of sexual dysfunctions ranged from 30% to 80%, while the risk of developing sexual dysfunction increased 2.7- and 3.5-fold in women with cervical and breast cancer, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Different cancer treatments increase the risk of developing sexual dysfunction in women, especially desire, arousal, and orgasm, leading to biopsychosocial changes in the health of this population.

Executive Summary of the Uterine Cancer Evidence Review Conference

Evidence for uterine cancer prevention, diagnosis, and special issues from the Uterine Cancer Evidence Review Conference is summarized.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized the need for educational materials for clinicians on the prevention and early diagnosis of gynecologic cancers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists convened a panel of experts in evidence review from the Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology and content experts from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology to review relevant literature, best practices, and existing practice guidelines as a first step toward developing evidence-based educational materials for women's health care clinicians about uterine cancer. Panel members conducted structured literature reviews, which were then reviewed by other panel members and discussed at a virtual meeting of stakeholder professional and patient advocacy organizations in January 2021. This article is the evidence summary of the relevant literature and existing recommendations to guide clinicians in the prevention, early diagnosis, and special considerations of uterine cancer. Substantive knowledge gaps are noted and summarized to provide guidance for future research.

Função sexual e incontinência urinária por esforço em mulheres submetidas à histerectomia total com ooforectomia bilateral

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar o índice de função sexual de mulheres submetidas à histerectomia total com ooforectomia bilateral (HT-OB), a prevalência de incontinência urinária por esforço (IUE) e sua associação com a realização desse procedimento cirúrgico em um hospital de referência em Belém (PA). Foram incluídas 162 mulheres, com vida sexual ativa, alocadas em dois grupos: aquelas que realizaram HT-OB em período superior a 12 meses (n=68), e aquelas que não realizaram (n=94). Utilizou-se o questionário female sexual function index (FSFI) para avaliação da função sexual, e um questionário desenvolvido pelos pesquisadores para coletar dados sociais, econômicos e clínicos, incluindo informações quanto à presença de IUE. O valor de significância foi definido como p<0,05. Houve diferença significativa no índice de função sexual entre o grupo HT-OB e o grupo-controle, com escore geral do FSFI de 23,56 e 28,68, respectivamente (p=0,0001). Os domínios desejo, excitação, lubrificação (p<0,0001), orgasmo (p=0,04), satisfação (p=0,0006) e dor (p=0,015) apresentaram escores inferiores em mulheres histerectomizadas. A prevalência de sintomas de IUE no grupo HT-OB foi de 35,3%, sendo observada associação significativa entre a presença desses sintomas e a realização da histerectomia (p=0,02). Mulheres que realizam HT-OB têm maior risco de disfunção sexual, e este procedimento cirúrgico é associado ao desenvolvimento de IUE.