Women's Experiences of Sequelae After Mastectomy: A 3, 6, and 12 Months' Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative experiences after breast cancer surgery, such as lymphedema, phantom breast sensations, persistent chronic pain, and changes in body image and sexuality, can negatively impact women's quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate women's experiences of sequelae at 3, 6, and 12 months after mastectomy. METHODS: A survey including women ≥18 years, cognitively intact, and Danish speaking was conducted from May 2021 to October 2021. The researchers contacted the participants by telephone using 4 validated questionnaires investigating phantom sensation, body image, quality of life, and sexuality. RESULTS: Forty-four women were eligible for participation, and 23 (14 women aged ≤65 years and 9 women aged >66 years) were included in the analysis. The results showed an overall decrease in the severity of physical sequelae and an improvement in body image and sexual function. However, the women reported concerns about the future and decreased sexual enjoyment. Nearly half of the women received information about sexuality from healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated decreased sequelae during the follow-up period. Still, there seem to be unanswered questions concerning the quality of life and the content of information regarding sexuality. The findings require attention and further research to benefit the individual woman and her partner in accommodating the consequences after mastectomy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Persistent pain and concerns for the future are present for half of the women after 1 year. Information about possible changes in sexuality is not standard. A nurse-patient dialogue that discusses hospitalization and sexuality on an individual level can be a way to address concerns and challenges.

On the frontline treating COVID-19: A pendulum experience-from meaningful to overwhelming-for Danish healthcare professionals.

OBJECTIVES: In the current study, we aimed to explore the experiences and attitudes among healthcare professionals as they transitioned from their familiar disciplines to respiratory medicine, intensive care or other departments during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: In preparation for the increasing number of patients suspected of having or who would be severely ill from COVID-19, a major reconstruction of the Danish Healthcare System was initiated. The capacity of the healthcare system to respond to the unprecedented situation was dependent on healthcare professionals' willingness and ability to engage in these new circumstances. For some, this may have resulted in uncertainty, anxiety and fear. DESIGN: The study was a descriptive study using semi-structured focus group interviews. Healthcare professionals (n = 62) from seven departments were included, and 11 focus group interviews were conducted. The focus group interviews took place during June 2020. Analyses was conducted using thematic analysis. The current study was reported using the consolidated criteria for reporting Qualitative research (COREQ). RESULTS: Healthcare professionals experiences was described by five themes: 1) Voluntary involvement, 2) Changes within the organisation, 3) Risks, 4) Professional identity and 5) Personal investment. Common to all five themes was the feeling of being on a pendulum from a meaningful experience to an experience of mental overload, when situations and decisions no longer seemed to be worthwhile. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals experienced a pendulum between a meaningful experience and one of mental overload during the COVID-19 pandemic. The swinging was conditioned by the prevailing context and was unavoidable. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To balance the continuous pendulum swing, leaders must consider involvement, and to be supportive and appreciative in their leader style. This is consistent with a person-centred leadership that facilitates a well-adjusted work-life balance and may help prevent mental overload developing into burnout.

Cognitive function and health-related quality of life 1 year after acute brain injury: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are well-established sequelae of critical illness. Studies on survivors of critical illness have found delirium to be a predictor of these conditions, but evidence regarding survivors of acute brain injury is sparse. We aimed to explore if delirium duration was associated with 1-year cognitive impairment and reduced HRQoL in patients with acute brain injury. METHOD: Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium was assessed using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Cognitive status was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and HRQoL using the European Quality of Life 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). We used a multiple linear regression for testing the association of delirium duration with cognitive impairment and quality of life, respectively. RESULTS: Forty-seven survivors of acute brain injury participated in follow-up and 35 completed RBANS. Delirium was present in 39 of 47 (83%) with a median duration of 4 days. Delirium duration did not predict cognitive impairment (95% CI -4.1 to 0.5) or lower HRQoL (95% CI -1.4 to 2.7). Moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment was present in 17 of 35 (49%) participants, and they had a mean EQ-5D health visual analogue scale of 70.9 vs 81.6 for the Danish age-matched norm. CONCLUSIONS: Our sample did not demonstrate an association between delirium and 1-year cognitive impairment or reduced HRQoL. Still, a large proportion of the participants were cognitively impaired, and their quality of life was lower compared to norm. Larger studies are necessary to explore these associations further.

Sexual dysfunction and mental health in patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two neurological diseases known to greatly influence a patient's life. The primary aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with epilepsy and MS and investigate whether there is an association between disease, sexual function, and physical and mental health. A secondary aim was to investigate whether there is a difference in sexual function between patients with MS and epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 414 patients were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Three patient report questionnaires were used for measurements: the Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire (CSFQ) cut-off score; the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) divided into the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS), and the Life Satisfaction-11 (LiSat-11). RESULTS: Patients with MS constituted 62% (n = 258) of the participants and patients with epilepsy 38% (n = 156). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 68% in women and 77% in men. No differences were found between patients with MS and epilepsy (p = 0.184), except for the CSFQ desire domain, as patients with epilepsy more often had a desire problem (p = 0.029). On the SF-36, patients with MS scored significantly worse on the PCS (p = 0.000). Patients with epilepsy scored significantly worse on the MCS (p = 0.002). No significant differences were found on the LiSat-11. Regression analysis with CSFQ as the dependent variable showed an association with the PCS in men and an association with both PCS and MCS in women. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the cohort of patients with MS and epilepsy had negatively affected sexual function. The only significant difference between patients with MS and epilepsy in sexual function measured by the CSFQ-14, was found in the frequency of desire, in which a larger number of patients with epilepsy reported sexual dysfunction. In the studied cohort, sexual function in women is associated with both physical and mental health, and in men with physical health. These results should be considered when caring for patients with epilepsy and MS.

Delirium prevalence and prevention in patients with acute brain injury: A prospective before-and-after intervention study.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge regarding delirium prevention in patients with acute brain injury remains limited. We tested the hypothesis that an intervention bundle which targeted sedation, sleep, pain, and mobilisation would reduce delirium in patients with acute brain injury. DESIGN: A prospective before-after intervention study: a five-month phase of standard care was followed by a six-month intervention phase. SETTING: The neuro-intensive care unit, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist was used to detect delirium. Primary outcome was delirium duration; secondary outcomes were delirium prevalence, ICU length of stay and one year mortality. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included during the standard care phase, and 50 during the intervention phase. Delirium was present in 90% of patients in the standard care group and 88% in the intervention group (p = 1.0), and time with delirium was 4 days vs 3.5 days (p = 0.26), respectively. Also, ICU length of stay (13 vs. 10.5 days (p = 0.4)) and the one year mortality (21% vs 12% (p = 0.38))) were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of delirium in patients with acute brain injury. The intervention bundle did not significantly reduce prevalence or duration of delirium, ICU length of stay or one year mortality.

Delirium assessment in neuro-critically ill patients: A validation study.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is underinvestigated in the neuro-critically ill, although the harmful effect of delirium is well established in patients in medical and surgical intensive care units (ICU).To detect delirium, a valid tool is needed. We hypothesized that delirium screening would be feasible in patients with acute brain injury and we aimed to validate and compare the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist against clinical International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria as reference. METHODS: Nurses assessed delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist in adult patients with acute brain injury admitted to the Neurointensive care unit (Neuro-ICU), Copenhagen University Hospital, if their Richmond agitation-sedation scale score was -2 or above. As the reference, a team of psychiatrist assessed patients using the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria. RESULTS: We enrolled 74 patients, of whom 25 (34%) were deemed unable to assess by the psychiatrists, leaving 49 (66%) for final analysis. Sensitivity and specificity for the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU was 59% (95% CI: 41-75) and 56% (95% CI: 32-78), respectively, and 85% (95% CI: 70-94) and 75% (95% CI: 51-92), respectively, for the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist may be a valid tool and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU is less suitable for delirium detection for patients in the Neuro-ICU. In the neuro-critically ill, delirium screening is challenged by limited feasibility.

Experiences and informational needs on sexual health in people with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis: A focus group investigation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore experiences and informational needs regarding sexual health in men and women with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis. BACKGROUND: Sexual health and well-being are dependent on access to comprehensive information about sexuality and good-quality sexual health care in an environment that affirms and promotes sexual health. DESIGN: The study had a qualitative explorative design using focus group methodology and framework analysis to capture the patient perspective. METHODS: We strategically selected 26 participants at a neurological clinic at a university hospital in Denmark and conducted four homogeneous focus group interviews: women with epilepsy (n = 8), men with epilepsy (n = 7), women with multiple sclerosis (n = 5) and men with multiple sclerosis (n = 6). We used the framework method for analysis and initially developed a matrix of disease versus gender before the authors triangulated their views and decided on the final themes. RESULTS: We identified four themes and nine subthemes. Our main findings included insights on the impact of ignorance regarding sexual rehabilitation, demonstrating the importance of information in patients with sexual dysfunction related to chronic neurologic disease. The study expanded our understanding of sexual activity in the unpredictable body of epilepsy and the progressively changing body of multiple sclerosis. The participants agreed that they would have taken a more constructive path to solve their sexual problems if they had been aware of common responses to their disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that people with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis might be under-informed regarding the impact of their disease on their sexual health. We have shown how knowledge deficits put people at risk for symptoms of isolation, guilt, frustration and depression. Patient information is a modifiable factor that, if improved, might increase the quality of life for this group of patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Implementation of improved patient information at the neurological clinic is recommended.

Mindfulness--What Works for Whom? Referral, Feasibility, and User Perspectives Regarding Patients with Mixed Chronic Pain.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe and predict the patients who would benefit from a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course and those for whom the conditions or timing are not optimal. The hypothesis was that patients' sociodemographic status would affect the effectiveness of MBSR. METHODS: Data were collected by using mixed methods. Quantitative data were collected from a group of 58 patients who completed health-related questionnaires and from an evaluation 6 months after completion of a mindfulness course. Qualitative data were collected from three focus group interviews and seven case stories. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in positive or negative outcomes after MBSR regarding any sociodemographic variables, and no clear predictors to identify patients best suited for participating in mindfulness were found. Techniques used by most patients (with or without positive outcome) were meditation and focus on breathing. Patients expressed positive feedback and reported positive changes they felt would last for the rest of their lives. Focusing on the issue of what works, four categories of interest were identified from the transcribed interviews: lessons learned, being oneself, permanence, and continuity as a condition for success. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness meditation makes a difference for patients. Patients felt rested and in better control of their pain and its role in their life. Only older age predicted better outcome, but patients who recognized that pain is part of their life and were living under stable conditions may have been more likely to learn and put forth personal effort, which may have made change possible. More specific variables have to be developed to study good match between the specific intervention and the specific patient.

Pharmacokinetics of high-dose intravenous melatonin in humans.

This crossover study investigated the pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of high-dose intravenous melatonin. Volunteers participated in 3 identical study sessions, receiving an intravenous bolus of 10 mg melatonin, 100 mg melatonin, and placebo. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, and 420 minutes after the bolus. Quantitative determination of plasma melatonin concentrations was performed using a radioimmunoassay technique. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by a compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Adverse effects included assessments of sedation and registration of other symptoms. Sedation, evaluated as simple reaction times, was measured at baseline and 120, 180, 300, and 420 minutes after the bolus. Twelve male volunteers completed the study. Median (IQR) Cmax after the bolus injections of 10 mg and 100 mg of melatonin were 221,500.0 (185,637.5-326,175.0) pg/mL and 1,251,500.0 (864,375.0-1,770,500.0) pg/mL, respectively; mean (SD) t1/2 was 42.3 (5.6) minutes and 46.2 (6.2) minutes; mean (SD) Vd was 1.6 (0.9) L/kg and 2.0 (0.8) L/kg; mean (SD) CL was 0.0253 (0.0096) L/min · kg and 0.0300 (0.0120) L/min · kg; and median (IQR) AUC0- ∞ , 8,997,633.0 (6,071,696.2-11,602,811.9) pg · min/mL and 54,685,979.4 (36,028,638.6-105,779,612.0) pg · min/mL. High-dose intravenous melatonin did not induce sedation, evaluated as simple reaction times. No adverse effects were reported in the study.

Analgesic and antihyperalgesic effects of melatonin in a human inflammatory pain model: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-arm crossover study.

Antinociceptive effects of melatonin have been documented in a wide range of experimental animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic, antihyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of melatonin using a validated burn injury (BI) model in healthy male volunteers. The design was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-arm crossover study. Each volunteer participated in 3 identical study sessions with intravenous administration of placebo, melatonin 10 mg, or melatonin 100 mg. Sixty minutes after bolus injection of study medication, a BI was induced by a computerized contact thermode (47.0°C, 420 seconds, 5.0 × 2.5 cm). Pain ratings during the BI and quantitative sensory testing at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the BI were performed. Quantitative sensory testing included assessments of secondary hyperalgesia areas, mechanical and thermal thresholds in the BI area, and pressure algometry. Furthermore, markers of inflammation, skin-reflectance spectrophotometry, and high-resolution ultrasonography were applied to measure skin erythema and dermal thickness in the BI area. Pain during the BI and secondary hyperalgesia areas were defined as primary outcomes. Twenty-nine volunteers were randomized and completed the study. While the BI induced large secondary hyperalgesia areas and significantly increased the markers of inflammation, no significant effects of melatonin were observed with respect to primary or secondary outcomes, compared with placebo. The administration of melatonin was not associated with any adverse effects. Melatonin did not demonstrate any analgesic, antihyperalgesic, or anti-inflammatory properties in the BI model.

Effects of mindfulness meditation on chronic pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled clinical trial investigated the effects of mindfulness meditation on chronic pain. DESIGN: A total of 109 patients with nonspecific chronic pain were randomized to either a standardized mindfulness meditation program (mindfulness-based stress reduction [MBSR]) or to a wait list control. METHODS: Pain, physical function, mental function, pain acceptance, and health-related quality of life were measured. The SF36 vitality scale was chosen as the primary outcome measure; the primary end point was after completing the MBSR course. Within a 2.5-year period, 43 of the 109 randomized patients completed the mindfulness program, while 47 remained in the control group. Data were compared at three time points: at baseline, after completion of the course/waiting period, and at the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Significant effect (Cohen's d = 0.39) was found on the primary outcome measure, the SF36 vitality scale. On the secondary variables, significant medium to large size effects (Cohen's d = 0.37-0.71) were found for lower general anxiety and depression, better mental quality of life (psychological well-being), feeling in control of the pain, and higher pain acceptance. Small (nonsignificant) effect sizes were found for pain measures. There were no significant differences in the measures just after the intervention vs the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: A standardized mindfulness program (MBSR) contributes positively to pain management and can exert clinically relevant effects on several important dimensions in patients with long-lasting chronic pain.

A capsaicin (8%) patch in the treatment of severe persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy is a disabling condition with a lack of evidence-based pharmacological treatment options. This randomized placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy of a capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch in the treatment of severe persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain. METHODS: Forty-six patients with persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain were randomized to receive either a capsaicin 8% patch or a placebo patch. Pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale [NRS 0-10]) was evaluated under standardized conditions (at rest, during movement, and during pressure) at baseline and at 1, 2 and 3 months after patch application. Skin punch biopsies for intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) measurements were taken at baseline and 1 month after patch application. Quantitative sensory testing was performed at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months after patch application. The primary outcome was comparisons of summed pain intensity differences (SPIDs) between capsaicin and placebo treatments at 1, 2 and 3 months after patch application (significance level P < 0.01). RESULTS: The maximum difference in SPID, between capsaicin and placebo treatments, was observed at 1 month after patch application, but the pain reduction was not significant (NRS, mean difference [95% CI]: 5.0 [0.09 to 9.9]; P = 0.046). No differences in SPID between treatments were observed at 2 and 3 months after patch application. Changes in IENFD on the pain side, from baseline to 1 month after patch application, did not differ between capsaicin and placebo treatment: 1.9 [-0.1 to 3.9] and 0.6 [-1.2 to 2.5] fibers/mm, respectively (P = 0.32). No significant changes in sensory function, sleep quality or psychological factors were associated with capsaicin patch treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study did not demonstrate significant differences in pain relief between capsaicin and placebo treatment, although a trend toward pain improvement in capsaicin treated patients was observed 1 month after patch application. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrialsregister.eu 2012-001540-22 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01699854.

Lidocaine patch (5%) in treatment of persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based pharmacological treatment options for patients with persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain are lacking. METHODS: Twenty-one male patients, with severe, unilateral, persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain, participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, receiving lidocaine patch (5%) and placebo patch treatments in periods of 14 days separated by a 14-day wash-out period. Pain intensities (at rest, during movement, and pressure evoked [Numerical Rating Scale]) were assessed before treatment and on the last 3 days of each treatment period. Patients were a priori divided into two subgroups based on quantitative sensory testing (+/- thermal "hyposensitivity"). Skin biopsies for intraepidermal nerve fiber density assessment were taken at baseline, and quantitative sensory testing was performed before and after each treatment period. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity assessed as the difference in summed pain intensity differences between lidocaine and placebo patch treatments. RESULTS: There was no difference in summed pain intensity differences between lidocaine and placebo patch treatments in all patients (mean difference 6.2% [95% CI = -6.6 to 18.9%]; P = 0.33) or in the two subgroups (+/- thermal "hyposensitivity"). The quantitative sensory testing (n = 21) demonstrated an increased pressure pain thresholds after lidocaine compared with placebo patch treatment. Baseline intraepidermal nerve fiber density (n = 21) was lower on the pain side compared with the nonpain side (-3.8 fibers per millimeter [95% CI = -6.1 to -1.4]; P = 0.003). One patient developed mild erythema in the groin during both treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine patch treatment did not reduce combined resting and dynamic pain ratings compared with placebo in patients with severe, persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain.

Sexual function in male patients with obstructive sleep apnoea after 1 year of CPAP treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate what impact 1 year of effective nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment had on general and functional aspects of sexuality in male patients with a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). METHODS: Before and after 1 year of CPAP treatment, a total of 207 CPAP-compliant male patients (age 26­77) received a survey with questions drawn from two self-administered questionnaires on sexuality ­ Life Satisfaction 11 (LiSat-11) and brief sexual function inventory (BSFI). For assessment of daytime sleepiness, we used the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). RESULTS: Response rate was 76%. We found no significant changes in satisfaction with relation to partner or life as a whole, but satisfaction with sexual life (LiSat-11) and both general and functional aspects of sexuality (BSFI) were significantly improved after 1 year of CPAP treatment. ESS score decreased significantly after 1 year of CPAP treatment. CONCLUSION: One year of CPAP treatment improves all aspects of sexual function in male patients with OSA. Our data indirectly suggest that organic factors are the most likely explanation to these improvements.

Long-term effects of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on sexuality in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

INTRODUCTION: Results from a previous study showed that sexuality was negatively affected in females with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Data are sparse on the long-term effects of nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on sexual difficulties and sexual distress in female patients with OSA. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects after 1 year of CPAP treatment on sexual difficulties, sexual distress, and manifest sexual dysfunction in female patients with OSA. The effect of CPAP on life satisfaction was also investigated. METHODS: Fifty-four therapy-compliant, female patients (age 22-71) received a survey before and after 1 year of nocturnal CPAP treatment. The questions on this survey were drawn from three self-administered questionnaires: two on sexuality and one on life satisfaction. The results were compared with a population sample. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used for assessment of daytime sleepiness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale, Manifest Female Sexual Dysfunction, four questions from Life Satisfaction 11, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were all used to measure outcome. RESULTS: In total, 44 patients responded to the survey (81% response rate). The results were a significant, positive change in manifest female sexual dysfunction, but no significant changes in isolated sexual difficulties or sexual distress. Daytime sleepiness significantly decreased after 1 year. The results from the Life Satisfaction 11 questionnaire remained unchanged after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: After 1 year of CPAP treatment, female patients with OSA reported reduced manifest sexual dysfunction. However, it cannot be concluded if this result is due to CPAP treatment alone. Furthermore, reduced daytime tiredness was found in the surveyed population. CPAP treatment, per se, does not seem to affect partner relationships. Petersen M, Kristensen E, Berg S, and Midgren B. Long-term effects of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on sexuality in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Sex Med 2013;1:62-68.

Sexual function in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea is defined as repetitive (≥5/hour) partial or complete cessation of breathing during sleep. Whereas obstructive sleep apnea is often considered to be associated with sexual problems in men, studies concerning effects of obstructive sleep apnea on female sexual function and distress are sparse. AIM: To investigate sexual dysfunction and sexual distress in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea and to determine which factors are of importance for their sexual function. METHODS: We investigated 80 female patients (ages 28-64) admitted to a sleep laboratory and who after investigation received a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. All subjects answered questions drawn from three self-administered questionnaires on sexuality. The results were compared with a population sample (N=240). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Data from nocturnal respiratory recordings. Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale and four questions from Life Satisfaction-11 (Lisat-11). RESULTS: Female Sexual Function Index indicated that obstructive sleep apnea patients were at a higher risk for having sexual difficulties. Female Sexual Distress Scale showed significantly more sexual distress in the obstructive sleep apnea group. Manifest Female Sexual Dysfunction (combined data from Female Sexual Function Index and Female Sexual Distress Scale) showed that female patients with obstructive sleep apnea also had more sexual dysfunction. Severity of sleep apnea was, however, not related to any of these indices but consumption of psychopharmaca was. In Lisat-11, we found that obstructive sleep apnea females scored lower than women in the population sample regarding life as a whole but not regarding domains of closeness. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that sexuality of women with untreated obstructive sleep apnea is negatively affected compared with a female population sample. This was not related to severity of obstructive sleep apnea, whereas psychopharmaca may act as an important confounder.

Sexual function in male patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate general and functional aspects of sexuality in male patients with a confirmed diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and compare the results with normative data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 308 male patients (age 30-69) admitted to a sleep laboratory and receiving a diagnosis of OSA, using questions drawn from two self-administered questionnaires on sexuality [Fugl-Meyer Life satisfaction checklist (LiSat) and Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI)]. RESULTS: We found that both general (Fugl-Meyer LiSat) and functional (BSFI) aspects of sexuality were worse in patients with (untreated) OSA when compared with normative data. Both aspects were dependent on age, obesity, social factors and concomitant medication but not on the severity of OSA as reflected by the apnoea-hypopnoea index or subjective sleepiness. CONCLUSION: We conclude that although sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in OSA patients than in the general population, it is a complex problem relating more to age, obesity, social factors and comorbidity than to the severity of OSA.