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Sexual Function, Anxiety, Depression and Coping After Myocardial Infarction: An Exploratory Study

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Abstract

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) may decrease sexual function and satisfaction in men and can be influenced by anxiety, depression, and sexual fear. However, few studies have examined short-term changes in sexual function over time in a post-MI population. This study aimed to longitudinally describe changes in sexual function and satisfaction in a sample of men post-MI.

Methods

Eighteen patients were recruited from a Midwestern United States hospital. Surveys were mailed two weeks and three months post discharge. Sexual function was measured with the Male Sexual Function Index. Other variables collected included sexual fear (Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Anxiety and Depression 4a), and use of coping strategies (Coping Strategy Indicator).

Results

Sexual function scores increased in the entire sample from 8.9 (SD 7.3) at two weeks to 14.6 (SD 8.9) at three months (18.8 % improvement, p = 0.04). Men who were sexually active improved their scores by 27.3 % (p = 0.01), while those who were not sexually active decreased their scores by 2.3 % (p = 0.5). Depressive symptoms and anxiety scores were low and largely stable across timepoints, though there were some improvements among men who were sexually active compared to those who were not. Decreased utilization of avoidance coping strategies was reported in sexually active versus inactive men.

Conclusions

While sexual function improved within a short-time period post discharge among sexually active men post-MI, further research is needed with a larger sample to understand these changes across a longer period. Additional research is also warranted to examine any potential influence of psychosocial predictors.

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Funding

This study was funded by a University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School Graduate Student Research Grant (U062652). Author A. Smith is presently funded by a postdoctoral Fellowship training grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research (T32 NR018407. Program Director: Rawl & Miller) Advanced Training in Self-Management Interventions for Serious Chronic Conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Indiana University, 46202, Indianapolis, IN, United States

    Asa B. Smith PhD, RN

  2. School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 48104, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

    Matthew Davis PhD, MPH & Debra L. Barton PhD, RN, FAAN

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35233, Birmingham, AL, United States

    Elizabeth A. Jackson MD, MPH

  4. Department of Urology, University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

    Daniela Wittmann PhD, LMSW

  5. Department of Psychology, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 48106, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

    Jacqui Smith PhD

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  1. Asa B. Smith PhD, RN
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  3. Elizabeth A. Jackson MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Asa B. Smith PhD, RN.

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Ethics Approval

This study was approved by the local institutional review board and was conducted in an ethical manner according to the declaration of Helsinki. Appropriate permissions were obtained for all instruments used in this study.

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Smith, A.B., Davis, M., Jackson, E.A. et al. Sexual Function, Anxiety, Depression and Coping After Myocardial Infarction: An Exploratory Study. Sex Disabil 40, 77–89 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-021-09715-x

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