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Comprehensive Self-Management Reduces the Negative Impact of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms on Sexual Functioning

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Abstract

Background

Women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report sexual dysfunction. Comprehensive self-management (CSM) intervention has been shown to reduce gastrointestinal, psychological, and somatic symptoms in IBS women. Whether this intervention also reduces sexual dysfunction is not known.

Aims

We sought to compare demographic and clinical factors in IBS women with and without sexual dysfunction as defined by the Arizona sexual experiences scale (ASEX) and to test the effects of CSM treatment on sexual dysfunction scores and on the sexual relations subscale of an IBS quality of life (IBSQOL) scale which measures the effect of IBS on sexual QOL.

Methods

IBS (Rome II) women enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of CSM treatment were characterized as having sexual dysfunction (N = 89) or not (N = 86) at baseline based on ASEX criteria. Baseline characteristics and symptoms were compared between the two groups. Post-intervention changes were compared between the CSM and the usual care arms of the randomized trial.

Results

Women meeting ASEX criteria for sexual dysfunction were older, had higher lifetime depression and antidepressant use, more primary care/MD visits, fewer mental healthcare visits, and greater sleep disturbance than those without sexual dysfunction. No significant group differences in gastrointestinal or somatic symptoms were observed. Compared with usual care treatment, CSM increased sexual QOL scores and had a weaker effect on ASEX scores.

Conclusions

Severity of IBS symptoms at baseline did not differ between IBS women with or without sexual dysfunction. The CSM intervention can reduce the effect of IBS on sexual QOL.

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Abbreviations

ASEX:

Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale

CSM:

Comprehensive self-management

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome

NSexD:

No sexual dysfunction group

QOL:

Quality of life

SexD:

Sexual dysfunction group

SSRI:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grants NINR, NIH (RO1 NR004142 and P30 NR04001).

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356424, Seattle, WA, 98195-6424, USA

    Margaret D. Eugenio

  2. College of Nursing, Keimyung University, 1000 Sindang-dong, Dalseo-qu, Daegu, 704-701, Korea

    Sang-Eun Jun

  3. Department of Biostatistics, Office for Nursing Research, University of Washington, Health Sciences Building, Box 357232, Seattle, WA, 98195-7232, USA

    Kevin C. Cain

  4. Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Box 357266, Seattle, WA, 98195-7266, USA

    Monica E. Jarrett & Margaret M. Heitkemper

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  1. Margaret D. Eugenio
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  2. Sang-Eun Jun
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  3. Kevin C. Cain
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  4. Monica E. Jarrett
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  5. Margaret M. Heitkemper
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Correspondence to Margaret M. Heitkemper.

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Eugenio, M.D., Jun, SE., Cain, K.C. et al. Comprehensive Self-Management Reduces the Negative Impact of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms on Sexual Functioning. Dig Dis Sci 57, 1636–1646 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2047-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2047-1

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