TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction over Time in the First Two Years after Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer
AU - Stone, Margot A
AU - Lissenberg-Witte, Birgit I
AU - de Bree, Remco
AU - Hardillo, Jose A
AU - Lamers, Femke
AU - Langendijk, Johannes A
AU - Leemans, C René
AU - Takes, Robert P
AU - Jansen, Femke
AU - Verdonck-de Leeuw, Irma M
PY - 2023/9/27
Y1 - 2023/9/27
N2 - The aim of this study was to investigate changes in sexuality and sexual dysfunction in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in the first two years after treatment, in relation to the type of treatment. Data were used of 588 HNC patients participating in the prospective NETherlands Quality of life and Biomedical Cohort Study (NET-QUBIC) from diagnosis to 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment. Primary outcome measures were the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The total scores of the IIEF and FSFI were dichotomized into sexual (dys)function. In men, type of treatment was significantly associated with change in erectile function, orgasm, satisfaction with intercourse, and overall satisfaction. In women, type of treatment was significantly associated with change in desire, arousal, and orgasm. There were significant differences between treatment groups in change in dysfunctional sexuality. A deterioration in sexuality and sexual dysfunction from baseline to 3 months after treatment was observed especially in patients treated with chemoradiation. Changes in sexuality and sexual dysfunction in HNC patients were related to treatment, with an acute negative effect of chemoradiation. This effect on the various domains of sexuality seems to differ between men and women.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate changes in sexuality and sexual dysfunction in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in the first two years after treatment, in relation to the type of treatment. Data were used of 588 HNC patients participating in the prospective NETherlands Quality of life and Biomedical Cohort Study (NET-QUBIC) from diagnosis to 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment. Primary outcome measures were the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The total scores of the IIEF and FSFI were dichotomized into sexual (dys)function. In men, type of treatment was significantly associated with change in erectile function, orgasm, satisfaction with intercourse, and overall satisfaction. In women, type of treatment was significantly associated with change in desire, arousal, and orgasm. There were significant differences between treatment groups in change in dysfunctional sexuality. A deterioration in sexuality and sexual dysfunction from baseline to 3 months after treatment was observed especially in patients treated with chemoradiation. Changes in sexuality and sexual dysfunction in HNC patients were related to treatment, with an acute negative effect of chemoradiation. This effect on the various domains of sexuality seems to differ between men and women.
U2 - 10.3390/cancers15194755
DO - 10.3390/cancers15194755
M3 - Article
C2 - 37835448
SN - 2072-6694
VL - 15
JO - Cancers
JF - Cancers
IS - 19
M1 - 4755
ER -