COPD burden on sexual well-being

Abstract

Background Sexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COPD on patient’s sexuality and the explanatory variables of sexual dissatisfaction. Methods Questionnaires were emailed to participants and they submitted their responses on the Santé Respiratoire France website. Data about sexual well-being (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, ASEX), Quality of life (VQ11), anxiety, depression (Hospitalized anxiety and depression, HAD) and self-declared COPD grade were collected. Results Seven hundred and fifty one subjects were included and were characterized as follows: women—51%, mean age—61 years, in a couple—62% and 70%—retired. Every grade of COPD was represented. Out of 751 participants, 301 participants (40%) had no sexual activity and 450 (60%) had sexual activity. From the 450 participants, 60% needed to change their sexual life because of their disease (rhythm, frequency and position). Subjects often used medications to improve sexual performance (43% used short-acting bronchodilator and 13% -specific erectile dysfunction drugs). ASEX questionnaire confirmed patients’ dissatisfaction (diminution of sexual appetite for 68% and sexual desire for 60%) because of breathlessness and fatigue. Eighty one percent of the responders had an altered quality of life (VQ11 mean score 35) and frequent suspected anxiety or depression (HAD mean score 10.8). Ninety percent declared that sexual dysfunction had never been discussed by their doctors, while 36% of patients would have preferred to undergo a specialized consultation. Conclusion Sexual dysfunction is frequent among COPD patients and leads to an altered well-being, however being a cultural taboo, it remains frequently neglected. Sexual guidance should be a part of patient’s consultations improve quality of sexual life.

Exploring the barriers to pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study

“…Contrarily, PR services in some developed countries are more coherent and organized and address different needs of patients [ 38 , 39 ]. In most chronic diseases, including COPD, sexual function is affected and the likelihood of sexual dysfunction increases following simultaneous and multiple illnesses [ 40 ]. Patients stated that talking about sex with their caregivers was unpleasant and that caregivers were reluctant to talk to the patient about it.…”

Erectile Dysfunction in Men with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Living with a chronic disease, such as COPD, disrupts the natural course of daily life and can cause deterioration in sexual life [ 22 , 24 ]. Respiratory or general symptoms of COPD contribute to sexual dysfunction via somatophysical effects: dyspnea, cough, muscular weakness, and the associated reduction of physical activity are among the major causes of decreased sexual activity in these patients [ 22 , 25 ].…”

“…This is an important limitation to patients’ overall QoL assessment. It was reported that in COPD patients, physicians usually focus on bronchospasm, respiratory failure, and infections, while sexual problems receive less attention [ 24 , 31 ].…”

“…Other studies showed that COPD patients do not commonly share their sexual issues with their physicians [ 19 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…The exact mechanisms linking COPD with depression and anxiety have not been fully identified [ 24 ] and the associations are likely to be bidirectional [ 84 ]. Androgen deficiency may be an additional causal factor: it can induce depression, anxiety, anger, fatigue, and sleep disorders [ 85 ].…”