Sexual Dysfunction in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Prospective Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction in Men With Chronic Pancreatitis: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and its association with quality of life (QOL) in men with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male patients with CP were prospectively enrolled in our pancreas center and completed the following 4 validated questionnaires: International Index of Erectile Function 5, Erectile Hardness Score, Pancreatitis Quality of Life Instrument, and Short Form Survey. Patients were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe SD based on review of questionnaires.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were enrolled in the study, of which 18 patients had SD (mild in 9, moderate in 1, and severe in 8 patients). No significant differences were seen demographic or clinical characteristics in patients with and without SD. Patients with SD had more abdominal pain compared with those without SD (94.4% vs 83.3%, P = 0.001). No significant differences were noted in QOL metrics between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study shows that SD is present in 60% males with CP. No difference was noted in the QOL of patients with and without SD, albeit limited by our small sample size. Physicians caring for CP patients should routinely inquire for symptoms of SD and offer a urology referral if indicated.

Position statement of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis on sexuality and inflammatory bowel disease

It is widely acknowledged that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD). However, there is a notable paucity of specific literature in this field. This lack of information impacts various aspects, including the understanding and comprehensive care of SD in the context of IBD. Furthermore, patients themselves express a lack of necessary attention in this area within the treatment of their disease, thus creating an unmet need in terms of their well-being. The aim of this position statement by the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) is to provide a review on the most relevant aspects and potential areas of improvement in the detection, assessment, and management of SD in patients with IBD and to integrate the approach to sexual health into our clinical practice. Recommendations are established based on available scientific evidence and expert opinion. The development of these recommendations by GETECCU has been carried out through a collaborative multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, gynecologists, urologists, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, sexologists, and, of course, patients with IBD.

SURGICAL INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AND PERIANAL DISEASE

OBJECTIVE

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of IBD in gastrointestinal surgery patients and record the disease's characteristics and treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: A search was carried out in the archives of the gastroenterology clinics of the University General Hospital of Ioannina and the General Hospital of Ioannina "G. Hatzikosta" in Greece. All cases of operated patients from 1980 to 2018 were examined. The duration of the study was 4 months. Data were analyzed with the SPSS program, v.28.

RESULTS

Results: The total sample consisted of 1464 patients (n=1464). Most of them (915-62.5%) came from the University General Hospital of Ioannina, while the rest (549-37.5%) came from the GHI hospital "G. Hatzikosta". The mean age of the patients was 47 years (M=47.26, SD=17.34, Min=<1 month, Max=95 years). From the total sample, 58 patients (4%) suffered from IBD; most were men (42-72.41%). Their mean age was approximately 50 years (M=49.63, SD=16.48, Min=25 years, Max=77 years, range=52 years) and most belonged to the age groups of 31-40 years (11 patients- 19.6%) and 21-30 years and 61-70 years (10 patients-17.9%). The perianal disease was present in 43.1% (25 patients). The most frequent type of operation was fistula resection, ligation, curettage-biopsy (24.1%) and opening-drainage (22.4%-13 patients) and the most frequent type of anesthesia was general anesthesia (93.1%-54 patients).

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: This long-term study of the patients' data followed up over time showed that the possibility of surgery in patients with IBD is mitigated through systematic monitoring and multifaceted therapeutic treatment.The perianal disease which appeared more often in men shows that it can be diagnosed early and at an early stage and with the new minimally invasive techniques the patient with IBD can be treated with a better quality of life.