Sexual and reproductive health in cystic fibrosis: a life-course perspective

Partner perspectives on women's sexual and reproductive healthcare in cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Women with cystic fibrosis (CF) face many sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns. Studies suggest that educating and involving partners in SRH care can improve outcomes. This study investigated partners' perceptions of and preferences for women's SRH care in CF.

METHODS

We surveyed partners of women with CF from ten United States (U.S.) CF centers regarding their attitudes and preferences related to CF SRH care. Items assessed experiences with SRH care, sexual relationships, family planning, pregnancy, fertility, and parenthood. We used descriptive statistics to assess results related to the timing, content, setting and delivery of CF SRH care.

RESULTS

A total of 94 partners completed the survey (94% male; average age 36±1 years; 70% married; 36% parents). Among those who/whose partners experienced a pregnancy, 48% received preconception counseling and 29% fertility testing/treatment. One-third of all respondents (32%) worried their children would have CF and 86% would undergo CF genetic testing if their CF partner became pregnant. One-third (34%) indicated that they did not have any SRH conversations with their partner's CF team, while 70% would like to have such discussions. The topics that respondents would most like to discuss were pregnancy (50%), fertility (43%), sexual functioning (36%), sexual activity (31%) and parenthood (29%).

CONCLUSIONS

Partners report gaps in SRH care and counseling despite the majority wanting to discuss SRH concerns with their partner's CF team. CF partners serve as key supports for women with CF and results can be used to design patient-centered interventions to optimize CF SRH care.

Paths to Motherhood for Women with Cystic Fibrosis

PURPOSE

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is no longer a disease limited to childhood. With medical advancements, many of those with CF live into adulthood and have similar life goals as their non-CF peers. Most women with CF want to become mothers. However, available options and the related decision-making process is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the decision-making framework of women with CF to better understand the factors they consider when deciding on a path to motherhood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Qualitative interviews were performed using a grounded theory approach. Inclusion criteria were women with CF who became mothers through biological pregnancy, adoption, or gestational surrogacy. Results: Twenty-five mothers with CF were interviewed. A distinct decision-making process was identified through which women started with a desire for motherhood, assessed several factors, then eventually took the path they felt was right for them and their family.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our findings provide women with CF a framework that other women with CF have used to assist in making decisions about their reproductive options. Conversations about family planning should occur early and regularly between women with CF and their health care providers. The decision-making process to achieve motherhood for women with a chronic illness, such as CF, includes consideration of unique factors that should be included in clinical conversations.

Engaging Stakeholders in the Development of a Reproductive Goals Decision AID for Women with Cystic Fibrosis

Objective: More people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) are reaching adulthood and considering their reproductive futures. Unfortunately, many pwCF report gaps in their reproductive healthcare. We describe measures of stakeholder engagement in developing a reproductive goals decision aid for women with CF called MyVoice:CF. Methods: Stakeholders reviewed the content, design, and usability of the tool, which was informed by prior research related to CF family planning experiences and preferences as well as a conceptual understanding of reproductive decision making. We evaluated stakeholder engagement via process measures and outcomes of stakeholder involvement. We collected data via recorded stakeholder recommendations and surveys. Results: Fourteen stakeholders participated and the majority described their role on the project as "collaborator", "advisor", or "expert." Most felt their expectations for the project were met or exceeded, that they had contributed significantly, and that they received sufficient and frequent information about the process. All stakeholders provided recommen-dations and clarified aims for a CF-specific family planning tool, including its content and focus on facilitating shared decision making. Discussion: Utilizing meaningful stakeholder contributions, we developed MyVoice:CF, a novel web-based decision aid to help women with CF engage in shared decision-making regarding their reproductive goals. Practical Value: Our findings from working with stakeholders for MyVoice:CF indicate that disease-specific reproductive health resources can and should be designed with input from individuals in the relevant communities.

Optimizing sexual and reproductive health across the lifespan in people with cystic fibrosis

With improved therapies, people with cystic fibrosis are living longer and healthier lives and increasingly have questions surrounding their sexual and reproductive health. This article will summarize the important issues of which providers should be aware during the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis, including puberty, adulthood, and menopause. A wide range of sexual and reproductive health topics are addressed such as puberty, transgender and gender nonbinary identities, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, hypogonadism, sexual functioning, cyclical hemoptysis, and urinary incontinence. We discuss gaps in knowledge and current evidence as well as management strategies to optimize care. Our goal is to support providers to enable them to give comprehensive care throughout the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis.

Exploring provider attitudes and perspectives related to men's health in cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

New modulator therapies have markedly improved the health of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), allowing an increased focus on quality-of-life improvements for men with CF, including those related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This study explored CF providers' attitudes and experiences with addressing men's health in CF.

METHODS

We interviewed geographically diverse adult and pediatric United States (U.S.) CF program directors via semi-structured telephone interviews exploring their perspectives and practices related to men's SRH in CF. Two coders analyzed transcribed interviews and created a codebook to identify key themes.

RESULTS

We interviewed 20 providers and identified the following themes: 1) Men's SRH is important to address within CF care, but there is no standardization around this aspect of care; 2) There is no consensus about the recommendation or utilization of semen analysis to assess men's infertility; 3) There are many barriers to men's SRH care provision in CF centers, including the low priority of SRH concerns and provider discomfort and lack of expertise in SRH; 4) Providers desire clear evidence-based guidelines and patient resources related to men's SRH in CF; and 5) Providers believe future research should focus on testosterone and the impact of modulators on men's SRH.

CONCLUSIONS

CF center directors acknowledge the importance of addressing SRH with men with CF, but there is a lack of standardization and research in this aspect of care. Existing barriers to optimal SRH care and identified facilitators in this study can serve as targets for interventions in the CF care model.

Gynecologic health care for females with cystic fibrosis

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Females with CF may have cyclic lung symptoms, yeast infections, and urinary incontinence.

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Contraception is safe, but comorbidities should be considered in method selection.

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Females with CF have reduced fertility, though the etiology is unknown.

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Females with CF underutilize basic preventive gynecologic services.

As females with cystic fibrosis (CF) increasingly reach their reproductive years, gynecologic issues have become an important area of clinical care and research. First, females with CF may have disease-specific gynecologic problems, including cyclic pulmonary symptoms, vaginal yeast infections, and urinary incontinence. Next, contraceptive methods are thought to be overall safe and effective, however further research is needed to confirm this and to understand the lower rates of uptake among females with CF compared to the general population. Further, females with CF have reduced fertility, although the etiology of this is unknown and under investigation. While assisted reproductive technologies may help achieve pregnancy, decision-making around parenthood remains complex. Finally, while patients and providers agree on the importance of sexual and reproductive health care, females with CF underutilize basic preventive services such as cervical cancer screening, and better approaches are needed to bridge the gap with gynecology. In this review, we discuss the current state of gynecologic care for females with CF, as well as clinical and research opportunities for improvement.

Challenges Faced by Women with Cystic Fibrosis

Women with cystic fibrosis (CF) face several unaddressed concerns related to their health. These areas of concern include explanations and guidance on a sex disparity in outcomes, timing of puberty, effects of contraception, prevalence of infertility and impact of pregnancy, and prevention of urinary incontinence and osteoporosis. These understudied topics leave women with numerous unanswered questions about how to manage sexual and reproductive health in the setting of CF. Because people with CF are living longer and healthier lives, there is an increasing awareness of these important aspects of care and multiple ongoing studies to address these understudied topics.

Sexual and reproductive health in cystic fibrosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With improving life expectancy and quality of life, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) has become an increasingly important aspect of patient-centered cystic fibrosis care. This review aims to describe advances in cystic fibrosis-related SRH and highlight optimal practices.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent publications suggest that people with cystic fibrosis follow a similar trajectory of sexual development and activity as their noncystic fibrosis peers, although contraception use is lower. Although fertility is reduced in patients with cystic fibrosis, improved survival and assisted reproductive technologies have led to an increasing pursuit and incidence of pregnancy. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator modulators that correct the underlying cystic fibrosis defect might improve fertility and thus far appear safe in pregnancy, though data are limited.Despite medical knowledge of SRH in cystic fibrosis, patients continue to report they lack sufficient education about these aspects of their healthcare, and cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary teams are ill prepared to counsel their patients.

SUMMARY

Understanding of the effects of cystic fibrosis on SRH continues to improve, although many questions remain regarding optimal care from the choice of contraception to the safety of cystic fibrosis-specific medications in pregnancy. Further development of cystic fibrosis-informed interdisciplinary specialist networks and a wider framework of practice would both enhance health outcomes and better support patients.

Female reproductive health in cystic fibrosis

Women with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living longer and healthier lives, and opportunities for childbearing are increasingly promising. However, this population can also face sexual and reproductive health concerns, including menstrual irregularities, unplanned pregnancies, infertility and pregnancy complications. Additionally, more women are entering menopause and are at risk for the consequences of estrogen deficiency. The exact mechanisms involved in female reproductive health conditions in CF are not clearly understood, but are thought to include cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR)-mediated abnormalities, changes in female sex hormones, and other CF health-related factors. In the era of CFTR modulator therapy, new data are necessary to understand the impact of CFTR modulation on contraceptive effectiveness, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes to help guide future clinical care. This article reviews the current scientific knowledge of major reproductive health issues for women with CF.

Exploring the reproductive decision support needs and preferences of women with cystic fibrosis. Contraception 2020;103:32-37. [PMID: 33068614 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2020.10.004]

OBJECTIVES

As women with cystic fibrosis (CF) live longer, healthier lives, they increasingly face decisions related to their reproductive health. This qualitative study explores their unique decision support needs and preferences to aid in the development of a CF-specific reproductive goals decision aid.

STUDY DESIGN

Womenwith CF age 18-44 years participated in individual, semi-structured, telephone-based interviews, and women with CF age 18 years and older participated in semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs). Both explored experiences and attitudes surrounding parenthood, pregnancy, contraception, and preferences for reproductive health care provision.FGDs also explored the use, content, and format of a reproductive goals decision aid for women with CF. We transcribed interviews and FGDs and conducted content and thematic analyses using an inductive approach.

RESULTS

Twenty women (age range 20-42 years) participated in interviews and 18 women (age range 26-63 years) participated in three FGDs. Major themes identified included: 1) CF complicates pregnancy and parenting decisions; 2) Women make contraceptive decisions within the context of their CF; 3) Women with CF prefer to receive reproductive health counseling from their CF team; 4) Women with CF desire defragmented, coordinated reproductive health care; and 5) A disease-specific reproductive goals decision aid would encourage relevant parenting, pregnancy, and contraceptive discussions.

CONCLUSION

Women with CF have unique reproductive health care needs and often face uncertainty and disjointed care when making reproductive health and contraceptive decisions.

IMPLICATIONS

This study underscores the central role of the CF team and illustrates opportunities to better support women with CF in their decisions surrounding sexual and reproductive health, including through a patient-centered, disease-specific, reproductive goals decision aid.

Young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions: sexuality and relationships support

OBJECTIVE

The research project addressed the need to support young adults with issues relating to sexuality and relationships though the development of guidance and standards for practice.

METHODS

An action research project underpinned by an interpretivist qualitative framework. Participants were recruited to the project via three hospices in the UK. Data from four focus groups were analysed thematically using a process of constant comparison.

RESULTS

Sixteen young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions aged 21-33 years participated in the study. Three significant themes were identified: sexuality and the transition to adulthood, recognising the significance of sex and relationships, and realising sexual rights.

CONCLUSION

Sexuality and relationships play an important role in the transition to adulthood for people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions living in the UK. While young adults with these conditions may have considerable support needs, it is important to balance this with the freedom to exercise choice and to make independent decisions. Sex negativity can have an adverse impact on the experiences of young adults and creates barriers. Improved ongoing access to sex education and the provision of enabling environments that afford privacy and safety are important to support young adults with sexuality and relationships.

Developing Sexual and Reproductive Health Educational Resources for Young Women with Cystic Fibrosis: A Structured Approach to Stakeholder Engagement

PURPOSE

Stakeholder engagement, specifically integration of patient and family perspectives about what matters, is increasingly recognized as a critical component of patient-centered healthcare delivery. This study describes a structured approach to and evaluation of stakeholder engagement in the development of novel sexual and reproductive health (SRH) educational resources for adolescent and young adult (AYA) women with cystic fibrosis (CF).

METHODS

Key stakeholders participated in a systematic series of steps to iteratively develop and adapt patient educational resources. Process measures (stakeholder recruitment, composition, co-learning, and transparency) and proximal outcomes of stakeholder involvement (impact on the development process and satisfaction) were measured via recorded stakeholder recommendations and a stakeholder survey.

RESULTS

Seventeen stakeholders participated in seven group and two patient-only conference calls. The majority of stakeholders understood their roles, had their expectations met or exceeded, and were satisfied with the frequency and quality of engagement in the project. All stakeholders in attendance provided multiple concrete recommen-dations during the development process. Stakeholders explored the motivations of AYA women with CF related to SRH and agreed that the ideal resource should be online. After reviewing the design of existing resources, stakeholders decided by consensus to partner with a pre-existing young women's health website and created 11 CF-specific SRH guides.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illuminates a path for a formal process of stakeholder engagement and evaluation in educational resource development centered on the SRH care needs of AYA women with CF. Similar systematic, planned processes could be extended to other populations and aspects of healthcare.

Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young Women With Cystic Fibrosis: A Concept Mapping Study

OBJECTIVE

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) women with pediatric-onset chronic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), face disease-specific sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns. Using concept mapping (CM), this study aimed to identify the SRH topics and outcomes valued by AYA women with CF and their parents.

METHODS

Women with CF who were 13 to 30years of age and parents of 13- to 30-year-old daughters with CF participated in an online CM study. Participants individually brainstormed, rated, and sorted SRH topics important for AYA women with CF. Using multidimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analyses, and t tests to assess rating differences, multidisciplinary stakeholders interpreted results during in-person meetings.

RESULTS

Twenty-four participants (13 AYAs and 11 parents) generated 109 statements around SRH in CF; 88% completed rating and sorting. Sixteen stakeholders named 6 main clusters of concepts: fertility and pregnancy, deciding to have children, birth control, navigating life, sex, and gynecologic concerns. Participants rated birth control as highest in importance for adolescent women (mean = 3.9 ± 0.1 on a 5-point scale) and fertility and pregnancy as highest for young adult women (mean = 4.2 ± 0.04). Parents provided higher importance ratings for all clusters than patient participants. Stakeholders identified patient-centered outcomes for each cluster and focused on how to improve SRH knowledge, decision making, and patient-provider communication in the subspecialty setting.

CONCLUSIONS

Eliciting patient-centered outcomes using CM can inform improvements in the care of AYAs with pediatric-onset chronic diseases. The SRH topics and patient-centered outcomes identified in this study should inform enhancements to comprehensive clinical care delivery for these populations.

Interprofessional provider educational needs and preferences regarding the provision of sexual and reproductive health care in cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an important disease-specific concern for adolescent and young adult (AYA) women that is not consistently addressed in cystic fibrosis (CF) centers. This study identifies educational needs and preferences of interprofessional CF providers regarding SRH in AYA women with CF.

METHODS

Interprofessional CF providers participated in an anonymous survey regarding general and CF-specific SRH knowledge and skills, factors for optimizing SRH care, and preferred approaches for SRH training. We calculated descriptive statistics for all respondents and stratified by provider type.

RESULTS

A total of 523 providers completed the survey (39% physicians/advanced practice providers, 19% nurses, 20% social workers, and 22% other disciplines). Half reported comfort responding to female AYA SRH concerns; however, only one-third were comfortable asking appropriate questions and confident taking a sexual history. Only 29% were comfortable with their current CF-specific SRH knowledge. Respondents' preferred SRH topics for further training included: pregnancy/parenthood planning, sexual functioning, urinary incontinence, intimate partner violence, and taking a sexual history. Nearly two-thirds felt having connection to women's health specialists familiar with CF would facilitate SRH care. Approximately one-third desired SRH educational materials for providers to view at point-of-care or through online case-based learning; <10% were interested in role playing SRH skills.

CONCLUSION

Many interprofessional CF providers lack comfort and skills in addressing SRH with AYA women with CF. Provider training needs and approaches identified in this study can be used to develop tailored educational interventions to improve comprehensive CF care.

Sex and Relationships Education for Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: A Service-Based Approach

Increasing life expectancy within cystic fibrosis (CF) raises challenges around previously neglected topics such as sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The study aimed to gather retrospective experiences of service provision around SRH to consider the role of the CF service, age of information provision and unmet needs highlighting possible improvements to provision. A mixed-methods retrospective survey-based design was employed. An Adult CF team participated in a consultation session generating survey questions around SRH. A 20-item online survey was constructed and disseminated to adult CF patients. Unmet needs were found in SRH provision in pediatric and adult CF services, with further information required by patients on topics including parenthood and fertility. Results support previous research findings highlighting the need for standardized provision around SRH. Age of SRH provision suggested individual differences in need within the pediatric service. Further research could explore format and specific age of SRH information provision.

Perspectives of adolescent girls with cystic fibrosis and parents on disease-specific sexual and reproductive health education

INTRODUCTION

Adolescent girls with cystic fibrosis (CF) face significant disease-specific sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns that are not typically addressed in routine clinical care. Additionally, there is a paucity of developmentally appropriate CF-specific SRH educational resources for this population. The goal of this study was to explore patient and parent attitudes toward SRH educational resources for adolescent girls with CF.

METHODS

Adolescent girls ages 13-18 years with CF and parents of daughters ages 10-18 years with CF completed individual, semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences and preferences around CF-specific SRH education and care. To facilitate discussion, participants provided feedback on the format and design of existing SRH educational resources. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

We interviewed 26 participants (14 parents and 12 patients). The majority reported they had never discussed SRH in the CF care setting. All participants preferred a comprehensive, online patient educational resource complemented by real patient stories and interactive components. Participants noted that such resources should create a sense of normalcy and community around CF and female SRH. Most desired more frequent communication around SRH between adolescent girls with CF and their healthcare providers as a way to promote SRH knowledge, decision making, and health outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Adolescent girls with CF and their parents desire an online patient educational resource that normalizes SRH and enhances patient-provider communication around these topics. Creation of developmentally appropriate resources would facilitate improved health outcomes around this aspect of comprehensive care in CF.

"If We Would Have Known": A Couple's Regret Over a Missed Opportunity to Have a Biological Child After Lung Transplantation

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic, chronic disease that results in thickened secretions in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts. Over 95% of males with CF have congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens causing infertility. This is a case study of a 29-year-old male who underwent a lung transplant after 8 months of oxygen dependency secondary to poor lung function. Approximately 1 year posttransplant, he and his wife decided that they wanted to start a family and consulted a fertility specialist who advised them to utilize donor sperm due to the teratogenic effects of posttransplant medications. Taken by surprise with this news, they expressed regret about the missed opportunity for pretransplant sperm aspiration and cryopreservation to conceive a biological child. He reported, “If we would have known, we would have made sure I [banked] my own [sperm].” This case study highlights a critical gap in CF comprehensive clinical care.

Difficult conversations: Discussing prognosis with children with cystic fibrosis

Background Despite the chronic, progressive, and life-threatening nature of cystic fibrosis (CF), there are no guidelines for when and how to communicate prognosis to children with CF.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with young adults with CF, parents of young adults with CF, and multidisciplinary CF health care providers assessed recall of and practices for communicating about prognosis. Recommendations for improvements were also solicited.

RESULTS

Young adults with CF recalled learning that life expectancy is limited by CF between the ages of 8 and 16 years, and that CF is a progressive disease between the ages of 7 and 19 years. They reported that the information often came from CF physicians or from online resources. Patients and parents reported earlier knowledge of prognosis than providers assumed. While learning about prognosis caused sadness and stress for some patients and families, others denied negative feelings. Interestingly, most patients reported that disclosure of prognosis had minimal impact on their adherence and treatment goals. Patients and parents reported wanting physicians to be involved in conversations about prognosis. However, providers noted several barriers to discussing prognosis, including their own reluctance, time limitations, and uncertainty about appropriate timing and content of communication.

CONCLUSIONS

Communication about prognosis is important but also difficult for providers, patients, and families. Appropriately timed conversations, using tools to facilitate communication, could ensure patients receive timely, accurate information.

Attitudes and Decision Making Related to Pregnancy Among Young Women with Cystic Fibrosis

Introduction The number of female patients with CF able to consider pregnancy has increased with improved therapies. This study explored attitudes and decision making regarding pregnancy among young women with CF. Methods Twenty-two women with CF ages 18-30 years completed semi-structured, in-person interviews exploring experiences with preconception counseling and reproductive care in the CF setting. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using a thematic analysis approach. Results Participants indicated CF is a major factor in pregnancy decision making. Although women acknowledged that CF influences attitudes toward pregnancy, many expressed confusion about how CF can affect fertility/pregnancy. Many perceived disapproval from CF providers regarding pregnancy and were dissatisfied with reproductive care in the CF setting. Discussion Young female patients with CF reported poor understanding of the effect of CF on fertility and pregnancy and limited preconception counseling in CF care. Improvements in female sexual and reproductive health care in CF are warranted.

Provider Attitudes and Practices toward Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Young Women with Cystic Fibrosis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate the attitudes and practices of cystic fibrosis (CF) providers toward sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care in young women with CF.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

Adult and pediatric US CF providers were sent an online survey exploring their attitudes toward SRH importance, SRH care practices, and barriers/facilitators to SRH care in adolescent and/or young adult women. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze results.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Attitudes toward the importance of SRH care in patients with CF and self-report of practice patterns of SRH discussion.

RESULTS

Respondents (n = 196) were 57% pediatric (111/196) and 24% adult physicians (48/196) and 19% nurse practitioners (NPs)/physician assistants (PAs) (37/196). Ninety-four percent of respondents believed SRH was important for female patients with CF (184/196). More than 75% believed SRH care should be standardized within the CF care model (147/196) and 41% believed the CF team should have the primary role in SRH discussion and care (80/196). For many CF-specific SRH topics, discrepancies emerged between how important respondents believed these were to address and how often they reported discussing these topics in practice. Significant differences in SRH attitudes and practices were present between adult and pediatric physicians. The most significant barriers to SRH care identified were lack of time (70%, 137/196) and the presence of family in clinic room (54%, 106/196). Potential facilitators included training materials for providers (68%, 133/196) and written (71%, 139/196) or online (76%, 149/196) educational resources for patients.

CONCLUSION

CF providers perceive SRH topics as important to discuss, but identify barriers to routine discussion in current practice. Providers endorsed provider training and patient educational resources as means to improve SRH delivery.

Sexual and reproductive health behaviors and experiences reported by young women with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of general and disease-specific sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns is unknown in the United States (U.S.) female CF population. This study aimed to describe and compare the SRH experiences and behaviors of young women with CF with the general U.S.

POPULATION

METHODS

Young women with CF ages 15-24years from five geographically diverse U.S. CF centers participated in a survey investigating SRH. Results were summarized and compared to the U.S. National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) using logistic regression adjusting for confounders.

FINDINGS

A total of 188 young women with CF (mean age 19.7±2.7years) completed the survey; data were compared to 1997 NSFG respondents (mean age 19.6±0.10years). Fifty-four percent of women with CF reported having had vaginal sex with a male partner compared to 66% of U.S. women (p=0.55). Women with CF were less likely to have ever used contraception (55% vs. 74%, p=0.0001) or have been tested for sexually transmitted infections in the past year (19% vs. 34%, p=0.001) compared to the general population. Two percent of women with CF reported having ever been pregnant compared to 24% of U.S. women (p<0.0001). One-third of young women with CF reported perceived pubertal delay, 16% urinary incontinence, 16% sexual dysfunction, and 49% yeast infections.

INTERPRETATION

Young women with CF face significant SRH concerns and appear to be experiencing gaps in SRH care provision. Opportunities exist for intervention development around this aspect of comprehensive CF care.

FUNDING

CF Foundation (KAZMER15A0); U.S. National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000005).

Physical performance, quality of life and sexual satisfaction evaluation in adults with cystic fibrosis: An unexplored correlation

OBJECTIVE

Quality of life (QOL), sexual satisfaction (SS) and physical performance have been assessed in the management of numerous chronic diseases.

METHODS

In this study, the following tests and surveys were applied: (i) QOL questionnaire [Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire (CFQ)]; (ii) SS questionnaire (SSQ) [female sexual quotient (FSQ) and male sexual quotient (MSQ)]; (iii) 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Spearman's correlation was used for comparison between the data; the Mann-Whitney test was applied to analyze the difference between genders. A total of 52 adult patients with CF were included in this study.

RESULTS

There was a positive correlation between CFQ domains and SSQ questions. The CFQ showed a positive correlation with peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO₂) and the distance walked in the 6MWT, and a negative correlation with the Borg scale. The SSQ showed positive correlation with the distance walked and a negative correlation with the Borg scale. For some markers evaluated in the 6MWT, there was sometimes association with the evaluated domains and questions. Male patients showed better scores in the emotional CFQ domain, better performance in SSQ and physical performance.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a correlation between CFQ, SSQ and 6MWT in CF. Finally; we believe that QOL surveys should assess the domain "sexuality" as well as physical performance tests.

Provider and Patient Attitudes Regarding Sexual Health in Young Women With Cystic Fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the attitudes, preferences, and experiences of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and CF providers toward sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care for young women with CF.

METHODS

Young women with CF aged 18 to 30 years from a US CF care center and pediatric and adult CF program directors from a national sample participated in qualitative interviews investigating their experiences regarding SRH care and their attitudes and preferences toward SRH care provision in the CF setting. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded by using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patient participants and 16 CF program directors were interviewed. Themes shared by both groups included the importance of SRH discussion in the CF care setting, patient and provider discomfort as a barrier to SRH care, and the need for SRH educational resources and provider training to improve SRH care. Providers highlighted the lack of standardization around SRH care in the current CF care model. Patients desired SRH educational resources coupled with early SRH discussions initiated by their CF provider.

CONCLUSIONS

Both CF providers and patients agree that the CF provider has a fundamental role in providing CF-specific SRH care. Educational resources coupled with individualized SRH discussions may facilitate improved SRH care for young women with CF. Investigation into the implementation of SRH education and services into pediatric-onset chronic disease care models is needed.

Cystic fibrosis program directors' attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health in young women with CF

INTRODUCTION

Advancements in therapy have led to dramatic increases in the life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). As survival improves, young women with CF will have expectations for their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) futures similar to their counterparts without CF. As they face unique CF-specific SRH concerns, they may rely on CF care providers for disease-specific SRH care provision. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of CF providers toward female SRH and perceived barriers in the current CF care model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

U.S. CF program directors (n = 16) participated in qualitative interviews investigating attitudes and barriers to female CF SRH care. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Participants (nine pediatric, five adult, and two combined) all agreed CF providers have a fundamental role in CF female SRH care. Most respondents named lack of time and patient and provider discomfort as significant barriers to effective SRH communication. Other reported barriers included: lack of training in SRH, family members in the room, low priority of SRH in setting of other CF issues, and lack of adequate rapport with patients.

DISCUSSION

This is the first study to assess the attitudes and experiences of CF care providers toward SRH discussion and care among female CF patients. Despite their perceived fundamental role in CF female SRH care, CF providers face significant barriers. Investment in provider training is needed to better address the complex SRH needs of young female patients.

Cystic Fibrosis Transitions of Care: Lessons Learned and Future Directions for Cystic Fibrosis

Advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) care transformed the condition from one considered lethal by age 7 into a chronic illness (median lifespan, >40 years). With the growing numbers of adults with CF voicing their preference for care in age appropriate settings, the CF community met the challenge by developing an adult-focused care system modeled on the highly successful pediatric CF centers. Adult CF programs ensure lifelong CF specialty care. Preparation for transfer occurs in a process of "transition." This article reviews progress in transition-related care and provides recommendations for research and clinical practice to improve the transition process.

What young people with spina bifida want to know about sex and are not being told

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper was to examine sexual knowledge, concerns and needs of youth with spina bifida (SB) to inform the medical community on ways to better support their sexual health.

METHODS

As part of the Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment (VIA) - transitions, a prospective cohort study, 309 h of video data were collected from 14 participants (13-28 years old) with SB. Participants were loaned a video camcorder for 8-12 weeks to shoot visual narratives about any aspects of their lives. V/A visual narratives were analysed with grounded theory using NVivo.

RESULTS

Out of 14 participants, 11 (six women) addressed issues surrounding romantic relationships and sexuality in their video clips. Analysis revealed shared concerns, questions and challenges regarding sexuality gathered under four main themes: romantic relationships, sexuality, fertility and parenthood, and need for more talk on sexuality.

CONCLUSIONS

Youth with SB reported difficulties in finding answers to questions regarding their sexuality, romantic relationships and fertility. This study revealed a need for help from the medical community to inform and empower youth with SB in the area of sexual health. Through sexual and reproductive health education with patients and parents starting at an early age, medical providers can further encourage healthy emotional and physical development in adolescents transitioning into adulthood.