Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer of Northeast Brazil: a retrospective longitudinal study

Profound Sexual Dysfunction Among Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Sexual health, a critical aspect of overall well-being, is often compromised in individuals with chronic disorders. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects intertriginous areas, potentially impacting sexual health as a result of its specific symptoms and psychosocial burden.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study utilized data from the EpiCAi project, focusing on 199 patients with HS. Participants completed digital questionnaires assessing sexual health via sex-specific instruments: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for women and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men, alongside different psychosocial scales. The disease severity was assessed using the Hurley stage and the Lesion Identification Scheme for Acne Inversa (LISAI).

RESULTS

The majority of the participants reported impaired sexual health, with significant clinical sexual dysfunctions noted in 71.8% of women (FSFI score < 26) and erectile dysfunction in 63.8% of men. Sexual dysfunction was associated with several factors, including age, and marital status. Psychosocial factors, notably depression and quality of life, showed strong correlations with sexual health outcomes. Notably, women over 40 and those treated with biologics reported more severe dysfunction, while among men, employment status significantly influenced sexual health.

CONCLUSIONS

HS profoundly affects the sexual health of both male and female patients, with significant impacts on their quality of life and psychological well-being. The findings underscore the necessity for healthcare providers to address sexual health proactively in the management of HS, considering both physical symptoms and psychosocial impacts. This holistic approach is essential for improving patient outcomes and overall quality of life.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Register for Clinical Trials, identifier DRKS00025315.

Investigating sexual health after breast cancer by longitudinal assessment of patient-reported outcomes

BACKGROUND

Sexual concerns are a major unaddressed need among survivors of breast cancer (BC) with significant negative effects on quality of life. We longitudinally analyzed sexual health over time, using patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with stage I-III BC prospectively included from the CANcer TOxicity cohort (CANTO) provided data at diagnosis, then 1, 2, and 4 years afterward. Sexual concerns outcomes included poor body image (score ≤91/100), poor sexual functioning (≤16/100), poor sexual enjoyment (≤66/100), and sexual inactivity (EORTC QLQ-B23). Multivariate generalized estimating equation models assessed associations with sexual concerns after diagnosis, adjusting for age, sociodemographic, tumor, treatment, and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Nearly 78.1% among 7895 patients reported at least one sexual concern between diagnosis and 4 years' follow-up. Over time, the proportion of patients reporting sexual concerns either increased or remained constant with diagnosis. Less than half (46%, range 11.4-57) of the patients with sexual concerns reported the use of supportive care strategies, including gynecological or psychological consultations (range 11.4-57.4). Factors consistently associated with sexual concerns up to 4 years after diagnosis included already reporting the same concern at diagnosis [odds ratio (OR)poor body image 3.48 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.11-3.89]; ORsexual inactivity 9.94 (95% CI 8.84-11.18), ORpoor sexual function 9.75 (95% CI 8.67-10.95), ORpoorsexual enjoyment 3.96 (95% CI 3.34-4.69)], endocrine therapy use [ORpoor body image 1.15 (95% CI 1.01-1.31); ORsexual inactivity 1.19 (95% CI 1.02-1.39), ORpoor sexual function 1.17 (95% CI 1.01-1.37), ORpoor sexual enjoyment 1.23 (95% CI 1.00-1.53)], and depression [ORpoor body image 2.00 (95% CI 1.72-2.34); ORsexual inactivity 1.66 (95% CI 1.40-1.97), ORpoor sexual function 1.69 (95% CI 1.43-2.00), ORpoor sexual enjoyment 1.94 (95% CI 1.50-2.51)]. Outcome-specific associations were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual concerns seem frequent, persistent, and insufficiently addressed. Pretreatment concerns, endocrine therapy, and emotional distress are commonly associated factors. A proactive evaluation of sexual health across the care continuum is needed, to promptly identify patients suitable for multidisciplinary counseling, referral, and supportive interventions.

Personalised graded psychological intervention on negative emotion and quality of life in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Psychological factors are a risk factor for the incidence of breast cancer and have a significant impact on patient prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to investigate the effects of personalised graded psychological intervention on negative emotion and quality of life in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

A total of 200 patients with breast cancer were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n= 100) and control group (n= 100). Both groups received routine nursing care. The experimental group received personalised graded psychological intervention care, and the control group received routine nursing measures. After 2 months of standard treatment, the patients' quality of life and negative emotions were evaluated using the self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), social support rating scale (SSRS) and quality of life measurement scale (FACT-B) scoring criteria.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the general data between the two groups (p> 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the SDS, SAS, SSRS and FACT-B scores between the two groups before personalised graded psychological intervention (p> 0.05). After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited an improved nursing effect compared with the control group. The SDS and SAS scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p< 0.05); after the intervention, the SDS and SAS scores were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p< 0.05). The SSRS and FACT-B scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p< 0.05), and the experimental group's post-intervention SSRS and FACT-B scores were significantly higher than before the intervention (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of personalised graded psychological intervention for the nursing of patients with breast cancer in clinical practice can significantly reduce patients' negative emotions as well as improve positive emotions and quality of life; thus, this method can be popularised in the nursing process.