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Sexual functioning in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Steel Jennifer,
Hess Stephanie A.,
Tunke Laura,
Chopra Kapil,
Carr Brian I.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.21450
Subject(s) - medicine , sexual dysfunction , quality of life (healthcare) , population , hepatocellular carcinoma , disease , liver disease , pediatrics , environmental health , nursing
Abstract BACKGROUND The objectives of the current study were to assess the rates of sexual dysfunction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compare the rates of sexual morbidity with a sample of patients diagnosed with chronic liver disease (CLD) and the general population. It was expected that patients diagnosed with HCC would have a greater prevalence of sexual dysfunction than those diagnosed with CLD and the general population, respectively. Furthermore, those patients who reported a sexual dysfunction would also have a poorer quality of life (QOL). METHODS Twenty‐one men diagnosed with HCC and 23 men diagnosed with CLD completed a battery of questionnaires that included the Sexual History Questionnaire and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Hepatobiliary. RESULTS Results indicated that 41% of patients reported a current sexual problem (29% of HCC patients and 71% of patients with CLD) and 43% met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 4th edition (DSM‐IV) criteria for at least 1 type of sexual dysfunction (25% of patients with HCC and 75% of patients with LD). Of the total sample, 68% reported being diagnosed with a comorbid medical condition or taking a medication that had potential sexual side effects. After eliminating cases with comorbid medical conditions and/or who were taking medications that contributed to sexual morbidity, the rate of sexual problems were found to be similar to that of the general population. Clinically significant differences were found with regard to the QOL. People who were experiencing sexual problems also reported a poorer QOL. CONCLUSIONS Although a large percentage of sexual dysfunction may have been secondary to comorbid medical problems and medications, treatment of the sexual dysfunction is still warranted. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.