Evaluation of sexual life quality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Department of gastroenterology

Object: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the intestines with relapses and remissions. It is generally diagnosed in the sexual active period. Factors such as disease and it's complications, drugs and surgical approaches can affect the sexual function of the patients. Considering the socio-cultural characteristic of our region, patients may not express sexual life disorders. In this study, our aim is to evaluate the sexual life quality in patients with IBD. Material and methods: Patients with IBD (n of males: 42, females:16) and control groups (m:25, f:20) in the Gastroenterology Clinic of the Dicle University were prospectively included in this study. The median age of the patients and control groups were 34,2±10,1 and 34,6±8,6 years respectively. In total, 103 patients were included. Of all patients, there were 41 patients with UC and 17 patients with Chron's disease. Demographic data including socio-economic status, education level and marital status of patients and duration of illness, laboratory and endoscopic data and treatment information were recorded. The PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) sexual activity index was translated into turkish and asked to the patients as a questionnaire. The sexual life quality index was determined according to answers to this questionnaire. Signs: The mean total score of the PROMIS questionnaire was found to be lower in the patient group (29.8±7.4 ve 28.1±7.7 respectively) compared to the control group (38.5±5.4 ve 34.8±11.6 respectively) in both men and women. However, the difference was statistically significant only in males (p<0.001). The median value of the sexual life quality index was found to be lower in the patient group (3.0 (1-5) ve 3.0 (1-4) respectively) in both men and women compared to the control group (5.0 (3-5) ve 4.0 (1-5) respectively). The low sexual life quality index was statistically significant in both men and women (p<0.001 ve p<0.042 respectively Results: In this study, we observed that the patients with IBD have lower sexual life quality than the normal population. Questioning the quality of sexual life as well as the disease activities during the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients and multi-disciplinary approaches may contribute positively to the course of the disease. Key Words: Inflammatory bowel disease, PROMIS, sexual dysfunction.