Determinants of female sexual function in inflammatory bowel disease. A survey based cross-sectional analysis

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Research article Determinants of female sexual function in inflammatory bowel disease. A survey based cross-sectional analysis

Antje Timmer , a Kemptner , andra Bauer , Takses , Ott and Alois Furst

BMC Gastroenterology 2008, 8:45doi:10.1186/1471-230X-8-45

Published:

3 October 2008

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Sexual function is impaired in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as compared to normal controls. We examined disease specific determinants of different aspects of low sexual function.

Methods

Women with IBD aged 15 to 65 presenting to the university departments of internal medicine and surgery were included. In addition, a random sample from the national patients organization was used (separate analyses). Sexual function was assessed by the Brief Index of Sexual Function in Women, comprising seven different domains of sexuality. Function was considered impaired if subscores were < -1 on a z-normalized scale. Results are presented as age adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI based on multiple logistic regression.

Results

336 questionnaires were included (219 Crohn's disease, 117 ulcerative colitis). Only 20% of the clinical cases had recently been sexually active to a relevant extent. Partnership satisfaction was high in spite of low sexual interest in this group. Depressed mood was the strongest predictor of low sexual function scores in all domains. Urban residency and higher socioeconomic status had a protective effect. Disease activity was moderately associated with low desire (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.2). Severity of the disease course impacted most on intercourse frequency (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.7). Lubrication problems were increased in smokers (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.1).

Conclusions

Mood disturbances and social environment impacted more on sexual function in women with IBD than disease specific factors. Smoking is associated with lubrication problems.