Sexual Dysfunctions Among People Living With HIV With Long-Term Treatment With Antiretroviral Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Sexuality plays an essential role in the psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV) but it is still less assessed by healthcare professionals during treatment. AIM: To investigate the frequency of those screening positive for sexual dysfunction (SD) and associated factors according to gender/sexual orientation in PLHIV under long-term treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: Between September 2013 and October 2016, 234 PLHIV adults in treatment in São Paulo were included. Participants were sexually active, did not present sexual orientation disorder or body dysmorphic disorder, and did not use sexual hormones. We performed clinical interviews and measured levels of depression, anxiety, and levels of sexual hormones. SD was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of participants screening positive for SD in the International Index of Erectile Function, the Index of Premature Ejaculation, and the Female Sexual Function Index. In the regression analyses, the outcome SD considered any SD presented with disregard to gender. RESULTS: 70% of participants reported consistent adherence to ART and 96% had an undetectable viral load. The median (Md) duration of ART was 198 months (inter quartil range, IQR 111.6-230.4) and the median CD4 was 655 cells/mm3 (IQR 443-871). Screening positive for erectile dysfunction was 49.7%, premature ejaculation 16.9%, female sexual dysfunction 27.4% and hypoactive desire 45.1%. Lower testosterone and prolactin levels were associated with erectile dysfunction in heterosexual men (n = 58); lower levels of oestradiol and higher levels of follicle stimulating hormone were associated with female sexual dysfunction and hypoactive desire in female participants (n = 63). The multivariable model used included comorbidities and hormonal abnormality and found that age (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI 1.00-1.08, P = .026) and the presence of depression/anxiety (OR = 2.96; 95%CI 1.52-5.77; P = .001) were associated with SD. Also, men reporting engaging in sex with other men were associated with screening positive for SD (OR 2.66; 95%CI 1.52-5.77, P = .013). During treatment of PLHIV, it is important to evaluate sexual health and symptoms of depression and anxiety specifically. The strength of this study consists in evaluating PLHIV who have been in long-term treatment with ART and analyzing those screening positive for SD and associated factors for each group (heterosexual men, men reporting engaging in sex with other men, and women). Limitation includes the difficulty to generalize the findings of the study, and not exploring women's sexual orientation. CONCLUSION: PLHIV in long-term treatment with ART presented alarming rates of depression/anxiety which in turn is correlated with sexual and physical health problems. Scanavino MDT, Mori E, Nisida VV, et al. Sexual Dysfunctions Among People Living With HIV With Long-Term Treatment With Antiretroviral Therapy. Sex Med 2022;10:100542.

COMVC-19: A Program to protect healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. What we have learned.

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a work and stress overload to healthcare workers, increasing their vulnerability to mental health impairments. In response, the authors created the COMVC-19 program. The program offered preventive actions and mental health treatment for the 22,000 workers of The Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP). This paper aims to describe its implementation and share what we have learned from this experience. METHODS: Workers were able to easily access the program through a 24/7 hotline. Additionally, a mobile phone app that screened for signs and symptoms of emotional distress and offered psychoeducation and/or referral to treatment was made available. Data from both these sources as well as any subsequent psychiatric evaluations were collected. RESULTS: The first 20 weeks of our project revealed that most participants were female, and part of the nursing staff working directly with COVID-19 patients. The most frequently reported symptoms were: anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. The most common diagnoses were Adjustment, Anxiety, and Mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a mental health program in a multimodal intervention was feasible in a major quaternary public hospital. Our data also suggests that preventive actions should primarily be aimed at anxiety and depression symptoms, with a particular focus on the nursing staff.

COMVC-19: A Program to protect healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. What we have learned

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a work and stress overload to healthcare workers, increasing their vulnerability to mental health impairments. In response, the authors created the COMVC-19 program. The program offered preventive actions and mental health treatment for the 22,000 workers of The Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP). This paper aims to describe its implementation and share what we have learned from this experience. METHODS: Workers were able to easily access the program through a 24/7 hotline. Additionally, a mobile phone app that screened for signs and symptoms of emotional distress and offered psychoeducation and/or referral to treatment was made available. Data from both these sources as well as any subsequent psychiatric evaluations were collected. RESULTS: The first 20 weeks of our project revealed that most participants were female, and part of the nursing staff working directly with COVID-19 patients. The most frequently reported symptoms were: anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. The most common diagnoses were Adjustment, Anxiety, and Mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a mental health program in a multimodal intervention was feasible in a major quaternary public hospital. Our data also suggests that preventive actions should primarily be aimed at anxiety and depression symptoms, with a particular focus on the nursing staff.

Experience of an online course on sexuality during pregnancy for residents.

OBJECTIVE: Many obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residents report insufficient knowledge about female sexuality and this has a negative impact on their capacity to manage their patients. The aim of this study was to describe an online course about sexuality during pregnancy for Brazilian Ob/Gyn residents and evaluate their knowledge acquisition. METHODS: This longitudinal educational intervention study involved 219 Brazilian Ob/Gyn residents. The online course lasted 24h (10 video lectures and discussion chats). Upon enrollment, the participants answered a questionnaire in regard to their training, attitudes and practices about sexuality during pregnancy. Participants' knowledge acquisition was assessed using a pre- and post-course test about sexuality during pregnancy. At the end of the course, participants were asked to evaluate their educational experience. Student's t and chi-square tests were used to analyze the pre- and post-course test scores. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 143 Ob/Gyns (65.3% of those enrolled) completed the course. At baseline, most participants reported that they did not have any sexology classes as undergraduates (62.5%) or in their residency (52.1%), and that they lacked specific knowledge in this area to manage their patients. Mean test scores increased significantly at the end of the course: 4.4 (±1.6) versus 6.0 (±1.3) (out of a maximum score of 10), before and after the course, respectively (p<0.0001). Most of the residents rated the overall quality of the course as "higher than expected". CONCLUSION: An online course for Ob/Gyn residents was associated with a significant increase in knowledge about sexuality during pregnancy.

[Sleep quality in overweight pregnant women]. / Qualidade do sono em gestantes com sobrepeso.

PURPOSE: To compare sleep quality of overweight versus normal weight women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 223 women with 14 or more weeks of pregnancy, 105 of them overweight (pre-pregnancy body mass index - BMI - ≥25.0 kg/m2) and 118 of normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), attending the prenatal care clinic. The Brazilian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-BR) questionnaire was used to evaluate sleep quality. The Student t-test and the chi-square test were used to compare differences between groups and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most of the participants (67.7%) were poor sleepers (total score >5); this proportion was significantly higher among overweight (80/105) versus normal weight (67/118) women (76.2 versus 56.8%, p=0,004). During the second trimester, this difference did not reach statistical significance (72.5 versus 53.7%, respectively, p=0.06) but mean total PSQI-BR scores were significantly higher among overweight participants (7.0±3.8 versus 5.5±3.2, p=0.02). In the 2nd trimester, overweight women also had higher scores for sleep latency (1.4±1.0 versus 1.0±0.9, p=0.02) and subjective sleep quality (1.3±0.8 versus 0.8±0.8, p=0.02). In the third trimester, the proportion of women with poor sleep quality was significantly higher in the overweight group, but did not reach statistical significance (79.6 versus 60.8%, p=0.06). During this period, total mean scores were similar for women with and without excess weight (9.4±4.2 versus 8.3±4.6, p=0.2). However, overweight women had higher mean scores for sleep disturbance (2.3±0.7 versus 2.0±0.8, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Overweight women had a poorer sleep quality than normal weight women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Qualidade do sono em gestantes com sobrepeso / Sleep quality in overweight pregnant women

Comparar a qualidade do sono de gestantes com e sem sobrepeso no segundo e terceiro trimestres.

Validation of the Brazilian version of the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B-Br).

INTRODUCTION: Progressive increases in survival rates from burn trauma have shifted attention to patient rehabilitation and posttraumatic quality of life. The assessment of quality of life is strongly dependent on reliable instruments for its measurement. A literature review has revealed that the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire is the most commonly used instrument worldwide. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to translate the BSHS-B into the Portuguese language, adapt it culturally to the Brazilian population, and test its psychometric properties. METHODS: The questionnaire was translated into Portuguese; culturally adapted; and tested for reproducibility, face validity, content validity, and construct validity. The translated version was tested on 92 patients with burns. Internal consistency was tested by means of Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was performed by correlating the BSHS-B questionnaire with the Burn Specific Health Scale-Revised (BSHS-R), BurnSexQ-Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM)/Universidade Federal De São Paulo (UNIFESP), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was 0.85. The Pearson correlation coefficients were significant at three time points of the reliability analysis. A significant correlation was observed between BSHS-B domains and BSHS-R, and between RSES and BDI domains. A significant correlation was also observed between BSHS-B and the BurnSexQ-EPM/UNIFESP social comfort and body image domains. CONCLUSION: The BSHS-B questionnaire was translated into Portuguese. It is a reliable tool in this language, showing face, content, and construct validity. The modified instrument has been named BSHS-B-Br.

Personality among sexually compulsive men who practice intentional unsafe sex in São Paulo, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence of an association between the practice of intentional unsafe sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) and sensation seeking and impulsivity. However, other aspects of personality have been less frequently investigated. AIMS: This study aims to investigate the association between the practice of intentional unsafe sex and personality traits in individuals who sought treatment and met the criteria for compulsive sexual behavior in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The sample consisted of 69 sexually compulsive MSM. The participants underwent psychiatric evaluation and an interview to define intentional condomless sex and completed self-report instruments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The participants completed the following measures: the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Sexual Compulsivity Scale. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants (36%) reported intentional unsafe sex with casual partners, of whom 84% were gay and 16% bisexual (P<0.05). Fifteen (22%) individuals reported being HIV positive, and 11 (73%) of them practiced intentional unprotected anal intercourse (P<0.05). The mean of sexual compulsivity was associated with men who engaged in intentional unsafe sex (P=0.01). Men who reported intentional unsafe sex scored significantly higher on the novelty seeking temperament dimension (P<0.05) and scored significantly lower on the self-directedness character dimension (P<0.001). However, self-directedness predicted intentional unsafe sex in the multiple logistic regression (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sexually compulsive individuals who practiced intentional unsafe sex presented lower self-directedness than the group who did not engage in intentional unsafe sex, which suggests less autonomy regarding life itself. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to consider intentional unsafe sex in sexually compulsive men.

Female sexual function of overweight women with gestational diabetes mellitus - a cross-sectional study.

Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are increasing worldwide and may compromise female sexual function. We hypothesize that among GDM patients in the third trimester of pregnancy, those with excess body fat would have worse female sexual function scores than normal weight women. Our aim was to assess the sexual function of overweight compared to normal weight women with GDM. This was a cross-sectional survey involving 143 Brazilian women with GDM in the third trimester of pregnancy: 76 were overweight (pre-pregnancy body mass index-BMI≥25.0 Kg/m2) and 67 were normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 Kg/m2). Participants were recruited from March 2010 to April 2013 at the antenatal clinic of a single public tertiary teaching institution. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used to assess sexual function. Overall, 51.7% of the 143 participants were at risk for sexual dysfunction symptoms (FSFI scores ≤26); this rate was significantly higher among overweight compared to normal weight women (60.5% versus 41.8%, p = 0.038). Mean total FSFI scores were significantly lower in overweight compared to normal weight women (21.7±9.2 versus 24.9±8.0, p = 0.029). Compared to normal weight women, overweight participants had lower mean scores in desire (3.4±1.2 versus 4.0±1.4, p = 0.007) and lubrication (3.8±2.0 versus 4.5±1.6, p = 0.023). According to these results, overweight women with GDM in the third trimester of pregnancy have lower female sexual function scores than normal weight women with the same disorder.

Treatments of Female Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction symptoms in pregnancy. These symptoms can have a negative impact on women's quality of life and affect couples' relationship. AIM: To perform a systematic review of the literature to assess the effectiveness and safety of treatments for sexual dysfunction symptoms during pregnancy. METHODS: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane CENTRAL, PSYCOINFO, and SCIRUS) were searched from inception to January 2013, without language restrictions. Five trial registers were also assessed for ongoing trials. Trials that reported any type of treatment for female sexual dysfunction symptoms during pregnancy were eligible for inclusion. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was the effectiveness of different treatments for female sexual dysfunction symptoms during pregnancy. A secondary outcome was safety of proposed treatments. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred thirty-seven citations were retrieved, four were selected for full-text reading, and two randomized trials (159 participants) were included. One study reported a significant increase in mean total sexual function scores of 44 women in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, 4 weeks after an educative intervention (mean difference 7.0, 95% confidence interval 4.1-9.9). The second study did not detect significant differences in the sexual behavior of 71 women in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, 12 weeks after an educational session. Results could not be pooled due to heterogeneity between the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this review, it is not possible to make any clear and definitive recommendation regarding the effectiveness and safety of interventions used for the treatment of sexual dysfunction symptoms in pregnancy. Ribeiro MC, Nakamura MU, Torloni MR, Scanavino MT, do Amaral MLS, Puga MES, and Mattar R. Treatments of female sexual dysfunction symptoms during pregnancy: A systematic review of the literature. Sex Med Rev 2014;2:1-9.

Compulsive sexual behavior and psychopathology among treatment-seeking men in São Paulo, Brazil.

This study examined compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) and psychopathology in a treatment-seeking sample of men in São Paulo, Brazil. Eighty-six men (26% gay, 17% bisexual, 57% heterosexual) who met diagnostic criteria for excessive sexual drive and sexual addiction completed assessments consisting of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, a structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders-Clinical Version (segment for Impulse Control Disorder), Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), and questions about problematic CSB. The average SCS score for our sample was above the cut-off score reported in other studies, and 72% of the sample presented at least one Axis I psychiatric diagnosis. There were no differences among gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men on SCS scores and psychiatric conditions, but gay and bisexual men were more likely than heterosexual men to report casual sex and sex with multiple casual partners as problematic behaviors. SCS scores were associated with psychiatric co-morbidities, mood disorder, and suicide risk, but diagnosis of a mood disorder predicted higher SCS scores in a regression analysis. The study provides important data on the mental health needs of men with CSB in São Paulo, Brazil.

Female sexual function and gestational diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: The number of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is growing worldwide in parallel with the obesity epidemic. The diagnosis of GDM leads to substantial modifications in the daily routine of these women, and these adjustments could potentially affect their sexual function. There are no previous studies on the sexual function of patients with GDM. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual function of patients with GDM in comparison with healthy pregnant women at the same gestational age. METHODS: Brazilian women in the third trimester of pregnancy with and without GDM were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study while waiting for their antenatal care visits at a single public tertiary teaching institution between March and December 2010. The Brazilian version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used to assess sexual function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain during and after coitus in the last 4 weeks, measured according to a standardized and validated questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 87 participants were enrolled (43 healthy women and 44 with GDM). There were no significant differences in the sociodemographic characteristics of both groups. The total FSFI scores of GDM patients was 21.0±9.59 compared with 22.3±9.17 for healthy women (P=0.523). Difficulty in desire was the most common sexual dysfunction symptom in both groups, being reported by 42% and 50% of GDM and healthy women, respectively (P=0.585). CONCLUSION: The sexual function of Brazilian patients with GDM does not differ significantly from that of healthy pregnant women at the same gestational age.

Sexual Dysfunctions of HIV-Positive Men: Associated Factors, Pathophysiology Issues, and Clinical Management.

Sexual dysfunctions in HIV-positive men are associated with an increase in risky sexual behavior and decreased adherence to antiretroviral drug regimens. Because of these important public health issues, we reviewed the literature on the pathophysiology, associated factors and clinical management of sexual dysfunction in HIV-positive men. The goal was to investigate the current research on these issues. Literature searches were performed in June 2011 on PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo databases with the keywords "AIDS" and "sexual dysfunction" and "HIV" and "sexual dysfunction", resulting in 54 papers. Several researchers have investigated the factors associated with sexual dysfunction in HIV-positive men. The association between sexual dysfunction and antiretroviral drugs, particularly protease inhibitors, has been reported in many studies. The lack of standardized measures in many studies and the varying study designs are the main reasons that explain the controversial results. Despite some important findings, the pathophysiology of sexual dysfunction in the HAART era still not completely understood. Clinical trials of testosterone replacement therapy have shown the treatment to be beneficial to the improvement of sexual dysfunctions related to hypogonadism. However, there are not enough psychological intervention studies to make conclusions regarding the therapeutic effects of psychotherapy.

[Pregnancy and gestational diabetes: a prejudicial combination to female sexual function?]. / Gravidez e Diabetes Gestacional: uma combinação prejudicial à função sexual feminina?

PURPOSE: To compare the sexual function of healthy adult pregnant women with that of gestational diabetes patients (GDM) in the third trimester. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled two groups of women managed antenatal care clinics. Inclusion criteria were: maternal age .20 years, gestational age at least 28 weeks, being in a heterosexual relationship with the same partner for at least 6 months, and being able to read. We excluded women with a medical recommendation for sexual abstinence due to clinical or obstetric disorders; hypertension controlled through medications; pregnancy resulting from rape; absent or sexually unavailable partner in the last month; hospital admission in the last month; use of vaginal creams in the last 30 days; multiple pregnancy, regular use of alcohol or illicit drugs or use of medications that can interfere with sexual function. Eighty-seven patients fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the study. The Sexual Quotient . Feminine Version (QS-F) questionnaire was used to assess sexual function. Student's t and χ² tests were used to compare differences between groups and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of the participants was 34 weeks. There were no significant differences in the mean QS-F scores between groups (62.5 healthy vs 62.8 GDM women, p=0.9). Approximately half the participants (47 and 47.5% of the healthy and GDM women, respectively, p=0.9) had total scores up to 60, indicative of dysfunction in one of the assessed domains (desire, sexual satisfaction, arousal, orgasm, dyspareunia and vaginismus). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was high among women in the third trimester of pregnancy and did not differ significantly between healthy women and women with GDM.

Gravidez e Diabetes Gestacional: uma combinação prejudicial à função sexual feminina? / Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes: a prejudicial combination to female sexual function?

OBJETIVO: Comparar a funcao sexual de gravidas adultas saudaveis a de mulheres com Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional (DMG) no terceiro trimestre da gravidez. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com dois grupos de gestantes em acompanhamento pre-natal. Foram criterios de inclusao: idade materna .20 anos, idade gestacional .28 semanas, relacionamento heterossexual com o mesmo parceiro ha pelo menos 6 meses e ser alfabetizada. Os criterios de exclusao foram: presenca de intercorrencias clinicas e/ou obstetricas que contraindicassem atividade sexual; hipertensao arterial controlada por medicamentos; gravidez resultante de estupro; parceiro sexualmente indisponivel ou ausente no ultimo mes; internacao hospitalar no ultimo mes; uso de cremes vaginais nos ultimos 30 dias; gestacao gemelar; uso regular de alcool e/ou drogas ilicitas; uso de medicamentos que interferissem na funcao sexual. Oitenta e sete pacientes preencheram os criterios de selecao e participaram do estudo. Para avaliacao da funcao sexual destes grupos utilizou-se o questionario Quociente Sexual . Versao Feminina (QS-F). Testes X² e t de Student foram utilizados para comparar diferencas entre os grupos, com valores p<0,05 considerados estatisticamente significantes. A analise estatistica foi realizada com o software Instat 3. RESULTADOS: A idade gestacional media nos dois grupos era de 34 semanas. Nao foram detectadas diferencas significantes nos escores medios totais do QS-F nos dois grupos (62,5 saudaveis vs 62,8 DMG, p=0,9). Aproximadamente metade das participantes (47 e 47,5 por cento das saudaveis e DMG, respectivamente, p=0,9) teve escores totais de ate 60 na escala do QS-F, o que indica comprometimento em algum dos dominios avaliados (desejo e satisfacao sexual, excitacao, orgasmo, dispareunia e vaginismo). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalencia de comprometimento do desempenho sexual foi alta em gestantes no terceiro trimestre, nao diferindo significativamente entre mulheres saudaveis e aquelas com DMG.

To compare the sexual function of healthy adult pregnant women with that of gestational diabetes patients (GDM) in the third trimester. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled two groups of women managed antenatal care clinics. Inclusion criteria were: maternal age .20 years, gestational age at least 28 weeks, being in a heterosexual relationship with the same partner for at least 6 months, and being able to read. We excluded women with a medical recommendation for sexual abstinence due to clinical or obstetric disorders; hypertension controlled through medications; pregnancy resulting from rape; absent or sexually unavailable partner in the last month; hospital admission in the last month; use of vaginal creams in the last 30 days; multiple pregnancy, regular use of alcohol or illicit drugs or use of medications that can interfere with sexual function. Eighty-seven patients fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the study. The Sexual Quotient . Feminine Version (QS-F) questionnaire was used to assess sexual function. Student's t and X² tests were used to compare differences between groups and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of the participants was 34 weeks. There were no significant differences in the mean QS-F scores between groups (62.5 healthy vs 62.8 GDM women, p=0.9). Approximately half the participants (47 and 47.5 percent of the healthy and GDM women, respectively, p=0.9) had total scores up to 60, indicative of dysfunction in one of the assessed domains (desire, sexual satisfaction, arousal, orgasm, dyspareunia and vaginismus). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was high among women in the third trimester of pregnancy and did not differ significantly between healthy women and women with GDM.