Sexual Activity in Heart Failure Patients: Information Needs and Association with Health-Related Quality of Life

Anneleen Baert, Sofie Pardaens, Delphine De Smedt, Paolo Emilio Puddu, Maria Costanza Ciancarelli, Amos Dawodu, Johan De Sutter, Dirk De Bacquer and Els Clays
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Anneleen Baert: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Sofie Pardaens: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Delphine De Smedt: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Paolo Emilio Puddu: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Maria Costanza Ciancarelli: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Amos Dawodu: Department of occupational medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Johan De Sutter: Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Dirk De Bacquer: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Els Clays: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: (1) Background : the main objective of this study was to investigate information needs concerning sexual activity and experienced sexual problems in heart failure (HF) patients and, in addition, to examine the association between these sexual problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); (2) Methods : in this cross-sectional study, three self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 77 stable ambulatory HF patients to acquire data on HRQoL, sexual problems, and need for counselling; (3) Results : More than half (56.7%) of HF patients experienced a marked decrease or total cessation of sexual activity due to their illness. Additionally, more than one-third perceived a marked decrease or total absence of sexual pleasure (42.5%), interest (32.9%), and constant problems or being unable to perform sexual activity (37.3%). Furthermore, 43.1% of patients experienced an important overall need for counselling concerning sexual activity, with information on relationships (69.2%), symptoms (58.5%), and relaxation (49.2%) being the most desired topics. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sexual problems were independently associated with HRQoL, with more sexual problems ( t = 3.19, p < 0.01) being related to poor HRQoL; (4) Conclusion : by investigating the experienced problems and counselling needs of HF patients, an alignment between current practice and HF patients’ expectations and needs might be obtained.

Keywords: heart failure; sexual activity; quality of life; need for counselling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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