CLINICAL RESEARCH
Sexual health of male cardiac patients – present status and expectations of patients with coronary heart disease
 
More details
Hide details
 
Submission date: 2015-03-02
 
 
Final revision date: 2015-04-14
 
 
Acceptance date: 2015-04-17
 
 
Online publication date: 2017-01-23
 
 
Publication date: 2017-02-21
 
 
Arch Med Sci 2017;13(2):302-310
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Due to the pathogenetic association between erectile disorders and cardiovascular diseases, cardiologists consult many patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and the use of sexual knowledge in cardiology practice, both current use and that expected by patients.
Material and methods: One thousand one hundred and thirty-six patients (average age: 60.73 ±9.20) underwent a dedicated survey which encompassed demographic data and the presence of modifiable ED risk factors. The presence of ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire.
Results: Sexual problems were discussed by cardiologists with 45 (3.96%) patients. The frequency of initiating the topic was significantly associated with the respondents’ education level (p = 0.0031); however, it was not associated with the patients’ age, duration of CHD, presence of ED, or modifiable risk factors. Four hundred and sixteen (36.62%) respondents indicated that they expect their cardiologist to take an interest in their ED. Nine hundred and twenty-six (81.51%) patients claimed good sexual function to be important or very important to them. Attitude to sexual function was significantly associated with age (p < 0.0001), duration of CHD (p = 0.0018), education (p = 0.0011), presence of ED (p = 0.0041), diabetes (p = 0.0283) and hyperlipidaemia (p = 0.0014).
Conclusions: The low frequency with which cardiologists initiate the topic of ED is in contrast to the expectations of patients with CHD. The majority of these patients regard good sexual maintenance as an important part of their life.
eISSN:1896-9151
ISSN:1734-1922
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top