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Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2013; 73(5): 428-432
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328602
GebFra Science
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sexual Function, Sexual Activity and Quality of Life in Women with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer

Sexuelle Funktion, sexuelle Aktivität und Lebensqualität bei Frauen mit Ovarial- und Endometriumkarzinom
P. Harter
1   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen
,
I. Schrof
1   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen
,
L. M. Karl
2   Prosthodontics, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz
,
R. Hils
3   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, HSK, Wiesbaden
,
V. Kullmann
3   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, HSK, Wiesbaden
,
A. Traut
1   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen
3   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, HSK, Wiesbaden
,
H. Scheller
2   Prosthodontics, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz
,
A. du Bois
1   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen
3   Gynecology & Gynecologic Oncology, HSK, Wiesbaden
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 11 March 2013
revised 21 March 2013

accepted 14 April 2013

Publication Date:
06 June 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Gynecological cancer (GC) is assumed to have an impact on sexual function and activity, but pertinent evidence is currently limited. Patients and Methods: Sexual function and activity were investigated in patients with gynecological cancer (GC) and in a control group (C), using the “Sexual Activity Questionnaire” (SAQ), the “Female Sexual Function Index” (FSFI), and parts of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: 727 women (335 GC and 392 C) were given a questionnaire and 22.8 % of them responded. Response rates were equivalent for both groups (23.6 % [GC] and 22.2 % [C]). 51.5 % (C) and 59.5 % (GC) were not sexually active, mainly owing to lack of a partner (37 %) or lack of interest (21 %) (C group), and lack of interest (40 %, p < 0.05), physical problems (31.9 %, p < 0.05), and physical problems suffered by their partner (21 %, p < 0.05) (GC group). There were significant differences between both groups in the SAQ discomfort score (p < 0.05), but no significant differences in quality of life or other scores for sexuality. Conclusion: The quality of sexuality tends to be impaired in GC patients, but this does not appear to influence quality of life. A shift in priorities caused by the considerable anxiety about surviving the cancer might explain our findings.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Es wird angenommen, dass gynäkologische Malignome einen Einfluss auf die sexuelle Funktion haben, aber die diesbezügliche Evidenz ist begrenzt. Methoden: Sexuelle Funktion und Aktivität wurden unter Verwendung des „Sexual Activity Questionnaire“ (SAQ), des „Female Sexual Function Index“ (FSFI) und von Teilen des EORTC QLQ 30 an Patientinnen mit gynäkologischen Tumoren (GC) und einer Kontrollgruppe von Nichttumorpatientinnen (C) untersucht. Ergebnisse: 727 Frauen (335 GC, 392 C) erhielten einen Fragebogen, von denen 22,8 % antworteten; die Rücklaufquote war in beiden Gruppen identisch (GC 23,6 %, C 22,2 %). 51,5 % (C) bzw. 59,5 % (GC) waren nicht sexuell aktiv, hauptsächlich aufgrund des Fehlens eines Partners (37 %) oder Desinteresse (21 %) in der Kontrollgruppe sowie Desinteresse (40 %, p < 0,05), physischen Problemen (31,9 %, p < 0,05) und physischen Störungen beim Partner (21 %, p < 0,05) bei den Tumorpatientinnen. Zudem war der SAQ-Score in beiden Gruppen signifikant unterschiedlich, nicht aber die Lebensqualität und andere sexuelle Parameter. Schlussfolgerung: Die Qualität der Sexualität ist bei Patientinnen mit GC tendenziell beeinträchtigt, was aber keinen Einfluss auf deren Lebensqualität zu haben scheint. Unsere Beobachtungen könnten durch eine Verlagerung der Prioritäten unter dem Eindruck der lebensbedrohlichen Erkrankung zu erklären sein.

Key words

ovarian cancer - endometrial cancer - dyspareunia

Schlüsselwörter

Ovarmalignom - Endometriumkarzinom - Dyspareunie
 

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