Sexual dysfunction among long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma.

in Cancer by Emily Hanzlik, Noah D Sabin, Tomoko Yoshida, Angela Delaney, Lu Xie, Himani Darji, Deokumar Srivastava, Daniel A Mulrooney, Melissa M Hudson, Kevin R Krull, Raja B Khan

TLDR

  • This study looked at the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in people who had Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and compared it to people in the community without HL. The study found that female HL survivors had a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction and an increased prevalence of moderate-to-severe loss of sexual desire compared to female controls. Male HL survivors had increased levels of erectile dysfunction but no difference in sexual desire. The study highlights the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in HL survivors and its association with quality of life. Health care providers should recognize the need for screening and intervention in this group to potentially contribute to improved overall quality of life. Future research should focus on identifying effective interventions and addressing the psychological and social aspects of sexual dysfunction in HL survivors.

Abstract

Survival rates from childhood cancer continue to increase, with an ongoing interest in long-term survivorship. Although infertility and gonadal failure are well recognized in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors, sexual dysfunction is less studied. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in HL survivors with that in matched community controls. Long-term survivors of HL (n = 186; female, 51.61%; mean age at diagnosis. 14.41 years [range, 3.01-22.60 years]; current mean ± standard deviation age, 36.73 ± 7.93 years) and matched community controls (n = 182; female, 50.55%; mean ± standard deviation age, 36.41 ± 9.02 years) completed a comprehensive, in-person clinical assessment, laboratory battery, and the International Index of Erectile Function or the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. Male survivors had increased levels of erectile dysfunction (18.89% vs. 6.67%; p = .0239) but indicated no difference in sexual desire. Female survivors had a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction compared with female controls (46.88% vs. 15.22%; p < .0001) and an increased prevalence of moderate-to-severe loss of sexual desire (38.04% vs. 23.26%; p = .0361). Female survivors with sexual dysfunction indicated increased levels of anxiety (p = .0184), depression (p = .0153), and worse physical and mental health (p = .0141 and p = .0419, respectively). Male survivors with erectile dysfunction had higher rates of anxiety and impaired physical health (p = .0147 and p = .0266, respectively). Sexual dysfunction was prevalent in this childhood and adolescent Hodgkin lymphoma survivor cohort and was associated with effects on quality of life. Health care providers must recognize the need for screening and intervention in this group to hopefully contribute to improved overall quality of life.

Overview

  • The study aims to compare the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors with that in matched community controls. Long-term survivors of HL (n = 186; female, 51.61%; mean age at diagnosis. 14.41 years [range, 3.01-22.60 years]; current mean ± standard deviation age, 36.73 ± 7.93 years) and matched community controls (n = 182; female, 50.55%; mean ± standard deviation age, 36.41 ± 9.02 years) completed a comprehensive, in-person clinical assessment, laboratory battery, and the International Index of Erectile Function or the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. The study's primary objective is to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in HL survivors and its association with quality of life.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • Male survivors had increased levels of erectile dysfunction (18.89% vs. 6.67%; p = .0239) but indicated no difference in sexual desire. Female survivors had a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction compared with female controls (46.88% vs. 15.22%; p < .0001) and an increased prevalence of moderate-to-severe loss of sexual desire (38.04% vs. 23.26%; p = .0361). Female survivors with sexual dysfunction indicated increased levels of anxiety (p = .0184), depression (p = .0153), and worse physical and mental health (p = .0141 and p = .0419, respectively). Male survivors with erectile dysfunction had higher rates of anxiety and impaired physical health (p = .0147 and p = .0266, respectively).

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study highlights the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in HL survivors and its association with quality of life. Health care providers must recognize the need for screening and intervention in this group to potentially contribute to improved overall quality of life. Future research should focus on identifying effective interventions and addressing the psychological and social aspects of sexual dysfunction in HL survivors.
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