Sexual Quality of Life and Needs for Sexology Care of Cancer Patients Admitted for Radiotherapy: A 3-Month Cross-Sectional Study in a Regional Comprehensive Reference Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: Providing early and better care in onco-sexuality and a better understanding of the sexual health care needs of patients before they start treatment is required. OBJECTIVE: To assess sexual quality of life and need for sexology care of patients when they are starting radiotherapy. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study of adult patients with cancer admitted for radiotherapy treatment in a regional comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: We selected all consecutive adult patients scheduled to start radiotherapy within a 3-month period and excluded patients who could not complete the questionnaires. Patients were asked to complete the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQoL) and a needs-assessment questionnaire. OUTCOMES: Total score on the SQoL and willingness (yes or no) to get help for a sexual problem. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 77 men and 123 women. The average SQoL scores were 68.4 ± 20.9 and 47.1 ± 13.0 for men and women, respectively (P < .001). Of sexually active patients, 58% had decreased frequency of intercourse or had completely stopped sexual activity after their cancer diagnosis. Half the participants wanted care for their sexual concerns. The proportion desiring specific types of care varied from 28.5% (couple counseling) to 54.5% (sexual physician) with variation by sex or type of cancer. Furthermore, 11.5% of participants declared their willingness to join support groups. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Early interventions before radiotherapy could improve sexual quality of life, particularly in women. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Strengths are the SQoL validated in men and women, the original window for assessment, and the study location. Limitations are the monocentric design, the potential recall bias for data before cancer diagnosis, and the fact that some patients had treatments before radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the need to examine the sexual health trajectory in a prospective fashion from diagnosis to survivorship. Almont T, Delannes M, Ducasson A, et al. Sexual Quality of Life and Needs for Sexology Care of Cancer Patients Admitted for Radiotherapy: A 3-Month Cross-Sectional Study in a Regional Comprehensive Reference Cancer Center. J Sex Med 2017;14:566-576.

[Management of erectile dysfunction in daily practice--PISTES study]. / Prise en charge de la dysfonction érectile en pratique quotidienne: Etude PISTES.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the improved knowledge on erectile dysfunction and its prevalence over recent years, no pharmaco-epidemiology study on the management of erectile dysfunction in daily practice has been performed. This absence of data is all the more regrettable in view of the real revolution in the management of this disorder, leading an increasing number of patients to consult. OBJECTIVES: To determine and analyse the presenting complaints, aetiological diagnoses, and modalities of management of patients with erectile dysfunction. METHOD: PISTES pharmaco-epidemiological, prospective and transverse study of a representative national sample of 411 private or hospital urologists and sexologists between April and June 2002. RESULTS: The majority of patients (56.7%) expressed discomfort talking about this subject. Patients with mixed predominant psychogenic ED and mixed predominant organic ED represented 67.1% of the population, confirming the multifactorial aetiology. The management varies according to the aetiology. Complementary investigations are essentially hormone assays (89.6%), well ahead of provoked erection tests (21.9%). Patients are reviewed within 2 months and 65% resumed a satisfactory sexual activity. The main causes of failure are inefficacy (83.7%) and the high cost of treatment preventing purchase (56%). CONCLUSION: This study shows an effective management of erectile dysfunction, but which is still faced with difficulties of access to care for psychological or economic reasons. These difficulties concern the patient, his partner and the practitioner Although information on erectile dysfunction has been greatly improved, it does not sufficiently encourage effective therapeutic management.

[Importance of patient's choice in the treatment of erectile dysfunction]. / Importance du choix du patient dans le traitement de la dysfonction érectile.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects nearly one out of two men over age 45. ED is known to alter the quality of life of patients, and to affect significantly their sexual life and relations, as well as those of their female partners. Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5) inhibitors currently represent the reference treatment for ED, because of their efficacy and good tolerability. The presence of erectile disorders capable of altering considerably the life of a couple makes it necessary to find ways for patients and their partners to get more involved in the treatment choices. A "customized" solution responding to patient's needs and resulting from a decision shared with the patient and his partner will allow a better compliance and efficacy of the treatment.