Assessment of sexual dysfunction and sexually related personal distress in patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction (SD) status post-orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) for end-stage liver disease (ESLD) has long been recognized. To date, there are no studies examining how sexually related personal distress (SRPD) impacts sexual function in this population.

Aims: To assess SD and SRPD in men and women who have undergone OLT for ESLD and to compare them with previously published reports on subjects without SD.

Methods: 283 subjects (182 men and 101 women) who underwent OLT since 2005 were mailed a survey. Men received the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Women received the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the FSDS-R. All surveys asked about the presence of a current sexual partner.

Main Outcome Measures: Total and subscale scores on the IIEF, the FSFI, and the FSDS-R.

Results: Ninety-six patients (33.9%) completed and returned the surveys consisting of 34 women (33.7%) and 62 men (34.0%). Also, 83.9% of men and 88.2% of women reported having an available sexual partner. Two-thirds of men and three-quarters of women were sexually active. In all domains, IIEF demonstrates that men have mild to moderate SD. FSFI demonstrates that women also have SD. Both genders reported relatively mild SRPD based on FSDS-R. Compared to previously published controls, all domain values were lower in both genders.

Conclusion: The IIEF, FSFI, and SDS-R results demonstrate that men and women who undergo OLT do exhibit mild to moderate SD. Their distress, though, is also mild to moderate, as evidenced by a high rate of continued sexual activity after OLT. Therefore, although SD may be widely prevalent in people who undergo OLT, aggressive intervention may not be warranted so long as the level of sexual distress remains low.