Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a diverse variety of chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions, with two major types: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Inflammatory bowel disease is a complex disease, which arises as a result of the interactions of environmental and genetic factors leading to immunological responses and inflammation in the intestine [1]. Currently, the highest incidence of IBD is in Scandinavian countries, Great Britain, and North America; it is lower in Central Europe; and lowest in Asia and Africa. At the end of the last century, in the majority of countries, the rate of new cases was between 2 and 15 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the prevalence rate was 30–120 per 100,000 inhabitants. The incidence of UC has remained at a similar level throughout the years, whereas the incidence of IBD since the second half of the last century has been steadily increasing. IBD mainly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age. The second peak of disease is observed after the age of 60 years. The assessment of the incidence of IBD in Poland, based on nationwide hospital records, showed that in 2007 there were 4.2 new cases of CD and 12.8 new cases of UC per 100,000 inhabitants. From 2004 to 2007, the number of new hospitalisations of patients with CD significantly increased, especially in the youngest age groups, and the number of hospitalisations due to UC decreased mainly in the elderly population. Inflammatory bowel disease diseases are becoming an increasingly common problem in clinical practice. Inflammatory bowel disease has multiple complications affecting patients’ psychosocial life. Inflammatory bowel disease is likely to have an impact on sexual function because of the following symptoms: diarrhoea, fatigue, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. Patients may suffer from anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction when the disease is active. When analysing the problem of IBD, disorders of sexual function should not be ignored. Patients should be screened for psychological diseases and sexual dysfunction, and necessary treatments should be given as soon as possible.

The aim of this review was to assess the data regarding the impact of IBD on the sexual functioning of male and female patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease has been shown in many studies to negatively impact quality of life [2–4]. Relationships affected by sexual disorders alongside IBD seem to be a common problem (20.6%) [2, 5]. As early as in 1978, the first reports showed decreased sexual activity among patients with IBD [6]. Epidemiological data show high prevalence of erectile dysfunction worldwide. The Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) showed that the overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the Boston area was 52% in men aged 40–70 years [7]. The detailed distribution of minimal, moderate, and severe erectile dysfunction was 17.2%, 25.2%, and 9.6%, respectively. In Cologne, studies of men aged 30-80 years showed a prevalence of erectile dysfunction at 19.2%, with rapid increase related to age of 2.3% to 53.4% [8]. In a cross-sectional study among men seeking medical care because of erectile dysfunction, one in four men was under 40 years of age and almost 50% had severe erectile dysfunction [9]. Erectile dysfunction has common, unmodifiable, and modifiable risk factors, including cardiovascular disease (e.g. obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, lack of exercise, and smoking) [10, 11].

Among sexual dysfunctions in women, there are distractions of desire, disturbances of arousal, orgasm disorders, and pain during sexual intercourse. Limitations resulting from a chronic disease affect almost every sphere of life. Inflammatory bowel disease most often affects young people who want to be professionally active, want to study, meet friends, and start a family. The disease often makes these goals difficult or even impossible. For a woman who wants to be attractive, the disease may have a negative impact on the patient’s perception of her body. Using steroid therapy may result in high irritability, excess hair growth (women), red and ruddy face, red stretch marks, fatigue, acne, and irregular menstruation. Sexual function in IBD patients after surgery (ileostomy, proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch-anal anastomosis, rectovaginal fistulae) may also be disturbed. A woman facing such an illness and its complications may lose self-confidence, become unhappy, and deny her true measures of attractiveness. Such a state may have an impact on social relationships, and, in more severe cases, it may have negative repercussions on the woman’s psyche. Many women set a goal for motherhood which, for various reasons, must be postponed.

The most popular questionnaires used in empirical research around the world are the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for women and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men. As informative as they are, they do not effectively address the unique symptoms and issues associated with sexual dysfunction in IBD patients. The IIEF-5 for males and the FSFI for females have been used in the majority of studies concerning IBD patients [12–18]. Most of these studies examined sexual function in both males and females. The sensitivity and specificity are adequate, but the IIEF seems to be limited by the exclusion of other aspects of male sexuality and the relationship with a partner [19]. The IIEF was originally developed in English and validated for the assessment of the degree of severity of erectile dysfunction. The survey is made up of 15 factors. The questionnaire comprises five categories: erectile function, orgasm, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and general satisfaction. The IIEF score ranges from 1 to 75 points. The erectile function category classifies the patients into five sub-categories: normal or without erectile dysfunction, mild erectile dysfunction, mild/moderate erectile dysfunction, moderate erectile dysfunction, and severe erectile dysfunction. In an effort to simplify the IIEF, a shortened five-factor version (IIEF-5, Table I) was developed to diagnose erectile dysfunction [20]. The newer, simplified version (consists of five questions) has proven to be a valid, specific, and sensitive scale for clinical use [21]. IIEF-5 is widely available on websites where the questionnaire can be completed by any interested person. The FSFI is a brief questionnaire to measure sexual function in women. It was developed for the specific purpose of assessing categories of sexual function in clinical trials. The FSFI consists of 19 items, and its aim is multifaceted evaluation of self-esteem in regard to sexual performance within the previous 4 weeks. This tool makes it possible to differentiate sexual dysfunctions in the area of desire, arousal, and achieving orgasm, as well as the feeling of sexual satisfaction. The presented tool is characterised by high credibility and is often used in research on women’s sexuality around the world. Very diverse groups of women take part in these studies, for example patients with multiple sclerosis [22], hyperthyroidism [23], overweight [24], suffering from neoplastic diseases [25], or endometriosis [26]. In addition, the questionnaire is adaptable enough for use among women of varying stages of sexual development, from the pre- to post-menopausal periods [27].

Other questionnaires

Discussion

Bel et al. evaluated 168 female and 119 male IBD patients [32]. Patients were asked about depression, disease activity, IBD-related quality of life, body image, and fatigue. Patients with active disease scored significantly lower (IIEF-5 and FSFI) than patients in remission and controls, indicating impaired sexual functioning during disease activity. Significant associations were found between active disease, fatigue, depressive mood, quality of life, and sexual function, for both male and female patients. The association between disease activity and sexual function was totally mediated by depression. The researchers concluded that depression is the most important determinant for impaired sexual function in IBD. Other quality-of-life measures such as the McMaster Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire also have incorporated questions on sexual activity or satisfaction, acknowledging the interference of this factor with physical and psychosocial wellbeing [2]. Despite the obvious relevance to those inflicted, sexual problems are rarely addressed in the clinical care of IBD patients [33–35]. Timmer et al. showed that depressed mood was found to be the most important factor associated with decreased sexual function, irrespective of sex and the presence of IBD. In men with IBD in remission or mild activity, sexual function as measured by IIEF was not impaired as compared with controls. In women, there was some evidence of IBD-related impairment independent of disease activity. Activity of disease, depression, and sociologic factors all seem to play important roles in sexual dysfunction in patients with IBD [12]. Sexual function was better with longer disease duration and was not affected by the long-term severity of the disease [13]. Feelings of attractiveness and femininity, as well as satisfaction with bodily appearance, were impaired among females with active disease [36]. Depression was a predictor for low sexual function scores in IIEF [13]. The presence of diabetes was associated with lower scores in IIEF in the following categories: erectile function, orgasmic function, and sexual desire. Factors most predictive of low sexual function among females were depression, frequent relapses, anxiety, and current use of steroids. Marin et al. evaluated the prevalence and predisposing factors of sexual dysfunction among IBD patients from their own observations [36]. They reported significantly lower FSFI scores for female patients with IBD than with controls. Female patients, compared with males, had decreased libido and said their sexual satisfaction declined after IBD diagnosis [11]. Both men and women with IBD showed significantly lower scores in sexual function questionnaires as compared to controls. Independent predictors of sexual dysfunction among IBD patients were corticosteroids used by women, the use of biological agents, depression, and diabetes in men. Patients reported frequent problems with their body image, often influenced by surgical scars, and thinness. The study showed that sexuality is often disturbed in IBD patients, particularly among women. Many factors seem to contribute to worsened intimacy. Sexuality should be considered when quality of life (QoL) is assessed in these patients. Muller et al. also attempted to explore the patients’ perspectives regarding the impact of IBD on sexuality [37]. In their study, 347 patients were surveyed about relationships, QoL, body image, and sexual function. Women reported significantly decreased frequency of sexual activity (female 66.3% vs. male 40.5%). Women were more likely to report decreased libido (female 67.1% vs. male 41.9%). Fewer than 10% declined medication due to perceived negative side effects impacting sexual function. Poor perception of the female body image was common. The majority of the studies showed impaired sexual function among IBD patients, with female patients more adversely affected than males [14, 38, 39]. Knowles et al. aimed to characterise the relationships between illness perceptions, body image and self-consciousness, sexual health (sexual problems and sexual satisfaction), anxiety and depression, and marital and family functioning in patients with IBD [39]. The findings provided evidence of the adverse impact of patient IBD-related illness perceptions on anxiety and depression and psychological comorbidity in relation to sexual health as well as relationship difficulties and family function. Surgery did not influence the results. Sexual satisfaction was negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, sexual problems, and illness perceptions. Moreover, sexual problems, body image, and self-consciousness during intimacy correlated strongly with illness perception, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusions

Sexuality is often disturbed in patients with IBD. Many factors seem to contribute to a lack of interest in intimacy. Sexuality should be considered when QoL is assessed in these patients. By understanding what factors contribute to poor sexual function in patients with IBD, we may try to minimise adverse psychosocial events. Screening for sexual disorders should be a part of daily medical practice.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.