Sexual health in older adults with hematologic malignancies - a sub-analysis of a Danish cross-sectional study.

IF 3 3区医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Supportive Care in Cancer Pub Date : 2025-09-23 DOI:10.1007/s00520-025-09921-9

Melissa Street Chamberlin, Andrea Lange, Mary Jarden, Kristina Holmegaard Nørskov

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to emphasize the importance of sexual health in older adults with hematologic malignancy (HM) in Denmark by exploring the prevalence of sexual symptoms and factors that influence sexual activity and function.

Methods: A sub-analysis of a Danish cross-sectional study including older adults (≥ 65 years) diagnosed with a HM from 20/1-2013 to 20/8-2022. Eligible participants received electronic validated questionnaires about quality of life, sexuality, and sexual health in their officially assigned digital mailbox.

Results: Decreased libido, impaired sexual activity, diminished confidence in erection, vaginal dryness, and reduced sexual satisfaction were among the most reported sexual symptoms. Interestingly, 93% of participants reported that sexual health had never been discussed with healthcare professionals. A significant correlation was found between sexual inactivity and a higher degree of sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Gender comparison revealed that men experienced significantly more sexual distress than women (p = 0.012). Age stratification showed that men aged 65-75 had significantly better erectile function compared to those > 75 (p = 0.031), while women aged 65-75 had better sexual arousal and orgasmic function than those > 75 years (p = 0.028).

Conclusion: Older adults with HM experience a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Men > 75 years experienced more severe erectile dysfunction, and sexual distress was particularly notable among men and patients with lymphoma. Regardless of treatment, sexual dysfunction persists in older adults with HM, emphasizing the need for continuous, supportive care addressing sexual health both during and after treatment.

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老年血液恶性肿瘤患者的性健康——丹麦横断面研究的亚分析

目的：本研究旨在通过探讨丹麦老年血液恶性肿瘤（HM）患者的性症状和影响性活动和功能的因素，来强调性健康的重要性。方法：对一项丹麦横断面研究进行亚分析，该研究包括20/1-2013年至20/8-2022年诊断为HM的老年人（≥65岁）。符合条件的参与者在其官方指定的数字邮箱中收到关于生活质量、性行为和性健康的电子有效问卷。结果：性欲下降，性活动受损，勃起信心下降，阴道干燥，性满意度降低是报告最多的性症状。有趣的是，93%的参与者报告称从未与医疗保健专业人员讨论过性健康问题。研究发现，性行为不活跃与男性和女性性功能障碍程度较高之间存在显著相关性。性别比较显示，男性经历的性困扰明显多于女性（p = 0.012）。年龄分层显示，65 ~ 75岁男性的勃起功能明显优于75岁男性（p = 0.031），而65 ~ 75岁女性的性唤起和性高潮功能明显优于75岁男性（p = 0.028）。结论：老年HM患者性功能障碍发生率高。75岁以上的男性有更严重的勃起功能障碍，性困扰在男性和淋巴瘤患者中尤为明显。无论治疗如何，老年HM患者的性功能障碍仍然存在，强调在治疗期间和治疗后需要持续的支持性护理来解决性健康问题。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Supportive Care in Cancer 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

9.70%

发文量

751

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Supportive Care in Cancer provides members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and all other interested individuals, groups and institutions with the most recent scientific and social information on all aspects of supportive care in cancer patients. It covers primarily medical, technical and surgical topics concerning supportive therapy and care which may supplement or substitute basic cancer treatment at all stages of the disease. Nursing, rehabilitative, psychosocial and spiritual issues of support are also included.