TY - JOUR
T1 - The association between psychosocial and medical factors with long-term sexual dysfunction after treatment for colorectal cancer
AU - Milbury, Kathrin
AU - Cohen, Lorenzo
AU - Jenkins, Rosell
AU - Skibber, John M.
AU - Schover, Leslie R.
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgment This study was supported by a supplement to grant NIMH/NCI R01 MH59432.
PY - 2013/3
Y1 - 2013/3
N2 - Purpose: Colorectal cancer patients usually receive treatments (e.g., pelvic surgery or radiotherapy, colostomy) that increase their risk for sexual problems. Previous research has mainly focused on demographic and medical risk factors. Because little is known about the role of psychosocial variables in sexual dysfunction, this research sought to identify the contribution of demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors to sexual dysfunction using multivariate analyses. Methods: Male and female colorectal cancer survivors (N = 261; mean, 2.5 years post-treatment) completed paper-pencil questionnaires assessing sexual function, psychosocial variables (e.g., depression, social support, body image, and dyadic adjustment), and demographics. Medical information was obtained from patients' self-report and medical records. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that older age, having received destructive surgery (i.e., abdominoperineal resection), and poor social support were uniquely and significantly associated with low international index of erectile function scores in men. For women, low female sexual function index scores were significantly associated with older age and poor global quality of life. Men, but not women, with rectal cancer reported worse sexual function compared to those with colon cancer. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction after colorectal cancer treatment is related to demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors. These associations can help to identify patients at high risk of sexual problems in order to assist restoring sexual functioning if desired.
AB - Purpose: Colorectal cancer patients usually receive treatments (e.g., pelvic surgery or radiotherapy, colostomy) that increase their risk for sexual problems. Previous research has mainly focused on demographic and medical risk factors. Because little is known about the role of psychosocial variables in sexual dysfunction, this research sought to identify the contribution of demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors to sexual dysfunction using multivariate analyses. Methods: Male and female colorectal cancer survivors (N = 261; mean, 2.5 years post-treatment) completed paper-pencil questionnaires assessing sexual function, psychosocial variables (e.g., depression, social support, body image, and dyadic adjustment), and demographics. Medical information was obtained from patients' self-report and medical records. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that older age, having received destructive surgery (i.e., abdominoperineal resection), and poor social support were uniquely and significantly associated with low international index of erectile function scores in men. For women, low female sexual function index scores were significantly associated with older age and poor global quality of life. Men, but not women, with rectal cancer reported worse sexual function compared to those with colon cancer. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction after colorectal cancer treatment is related to demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors. These associations can help to identify patients at high risk of sexual problems in order to assist restoring sexual functioning if desired.
KW - Colorectal cancer survivors
KW - Psychosocial risk factors
KW - Treatment-related sexual dysfunction
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U2 - 10.1007/s00520-012-1582-9
DO - 10.1007/s00520-012-1582-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 22948439
AN - SCOPUS:84874038453
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 21
SP - 793
EP - 802
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 3
ER -