Sexual Functioning in Long-Term Survivors of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

This investigation characterized sexual activity and sexual function in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors, compared themwith norms, and examined factors associatedwith sexual dysfunction, with the goal of identifying targets for intervention to improve sexual health. Surviving adults from a large transplantation center were asked to complete an annual survey with a core of health questions and a module on sexual activity and function. Participants completed the Sexual Function Questionnaire, Cancer and Treatment Distress form, and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Clinical data were collected fromthe transplantation medical database. Multivariate logistic regressions identified factors associatedwith sexual activity and function. Participating survivors (n = 1742) were a mean of 11.9 years (range,.4 to 43.1 years) after HCT, mean age 57.6 years, and 53% male. Women were more likely thanmen to report being sexually inactive in the past year (39% versus 27%) and, among those sexually active, to report low sexual function (64% versus 32%). Male and female survivors reported lower rates of sexual activity and function than comparison norms (all P <.01). In regressions, factors associated with being sexually inactive included older age, having <4 years of college education, low performance status, and not being in a committed relationship. Additional factors for men included receipt of nonmyeloablative conditioning and not being employed or in school. Low sexual functioning for men and women was associated with low performance status, and, for women, a committed relationship of lower quality, while for men the association was with older age. Sexual dysfunction is common in both men and women after HCT, regardless of time since treatment. Survivors need routine evaluation and access to multimodal interventions. (C) 2020 The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated sexual activity and function in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors, identifying common sexual dysfunction in both men and women regardless of time since treatment. Women were more likely than men to report sexual inactivity, as well as lower sexual function among sexually active individuals.