Research article

Determinants of female sexual function in inflammatory bowel disease: a survey based cross-sectional analysis

Antje Timmer¹ , Daniela Kemptner² , Alexandra Bauer³ , Angela Takses³ , Claudia Ott³ and Alois Fürst⁴

¹  Department of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University Hospital of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier Strasse 26, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

²  Landratsamt, Regensburg, Altmühlstraße 3, 93059 Regensburg, Germany

³  Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany

⁴  Department of Surgery, Caritas-Hospital St, Josef Landshuter Straße 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

author email corresponding author email

BMC Gastroenterology 2008, 8:45doi:10.1186/1471-230X-8-45

Published:	3 October 2008

Abstract

Background

Sexual function is impaired in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as compared to normal controls. We examined disease specific determinants of different aspects of low sexual function.

Methods

Women with IBD aged 18 to 65 presenting to the university departments of internal medicine and surgery were included. In addition, a random sample from the national patients organization was used (separate analyses). Sexual function was assessed by the Brief Index of Sexual Function in Women, comprising seven different domains of sexuality. Function was considered impaired if subscores were < -1 on a z-normalized scale. Results are presented as age adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI based on multiple logistic regression.

Results

336 questionnaires were included (219 Crohn's disease, 117 ulcerative colitis). Most women reported low sexual activity (63%; 17% none at all, 20% moderate or high activity). Partnership satisfaction was high in spite of low sexual interest in this group. Depressed mood was the strongest predictor of low sexual function scores in all domains. Urban residency and higher socioecomic status had a protective effect. Disease activity was moderately associated with low desire (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.2). Severity of the disease course impacted most on intercourse frequency (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.7). Lubrication problems were more common in smokers (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.1).

Conclusion

Mood disturbances and social environment impacted more on sexual function in women with IBD than disease specific factors. Smoking is associated with lubrication problems.