Sexual function and fertility in young female adults surgically treated for anorectal malformations
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In brief
In brief
This cross-sectional study examines sexual function and fertility in young women surgically treated for anorectal malformations, finding comparable sexual function to healthy controls except for reduced desire. A strong correlation was identified between health-related quality of life and sexual function outcomes in this patient population.
- Female adults surgically treated for anorectal malformations have sexual function comparable to healthy controls except for reduced desire.
- Sexual function strongly correlates with health-related quality of life (ρ=0.82) but not with bowel function scores in ARM patients.
- 71% of female ARM patients achieved sexual debut at mean age 16.3 years; 20% of sexually active women became pregnant.
- Menarche occurred at normal age (mean 12.7 years) in female ARM patients, suggesting preserved reproductive development.
- Interventions targeting health-related quality of life may improve sexual function outcomes in female ARM survivors.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim was to investigate sexual function and fertility in female adults operated on for anorectal malformations (ARM).
Methods
This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study including female adult patients treated for ARM at our institution between 1994 and 2003. Sexual function in females was assessed using the Profile of Sexual Function (PFSF). Additional questions regarding fertility were answered by the participants. Patient characteristics were retrospectively retrieved from the medical records and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Sexual function outcomes were compared to a control group from a previously published group of females. Composite outcome analysis was performed using previously published data to determine the potential impact of bowel function and health-related quality of life on sexual function. The ethics review authorities approved the study.
Results
A total of 14 of 30 (46.7%) females responded to the questionnaires and had a mean age of 21.1 years (range 18–26). No association was found between PFSF and age or bowel function (Bowel Function Score), however, a strong correlation was found between PFSF and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with a Spearman correlation of ρ 0.82 (p = 0.0011). The general satisfaction question was strongly associated with their total PFSF score (ρ = 0.71, p = 0.0092). Except for the “desire” item, the females in this cohort did not have significantly worse sexual function than the control population(p = 0.015). Ten of fourteen (71.4%) females had had their sexual debut at a mean age of 16.3 years and two of these women (20%) have been pregnant. All females had had menarche at a mean age of 12.7 years.
Conclusion
Sexual function in adult females was comparable to healthy controls except for the “desire” item where the cohort reported poorer outcomes. The cohort’s sexual function had a direct association with their reported HRQoL where individuals with worse HRQoL also reported poorer sexual function.
Level of evidence
III