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DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1808722
IMPACT OF SEXUAL SATISFACTION, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN A REFERENCE CENTER
Authors
Introduction Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are conditions associated with a negative impact on quality of life, especially during active disease and in critically ill patients. However, even patients in remission may experience a reduced quality of life due to depressive or anxious symptoms. There are few national studies on the psychological factors affecting IBD patients and the assessment of sexual function in these individuals.
Objective To evaluate the psychological profile of patients with active and inactive IBD by applying validated questionnaires on anxiety/depression and sexuality.
Methods Validated instruments (questionnaires) were applied to assess sexuality (male and female sexual quotient), anxiety, and depression (Beck Scales – Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively) in IBD patients at a Brazilian reference center for IBD. Variables related to gender, age, disease type, disease activity, and prior surgeries were collected. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and registered in the Brazilian Platform.
Results A total of 161 patients were included (Crohn's Disease [CD], n=90, 55.9%; White, n=126, 78.3%; employed, n=107, 66.6%; average age 38.2 years; active disease, n=96, 56.9%; deep remission, n=41, 25.5%). There were no differences in age (p=0.659), age at diagnosis (p=0.466), or disease duration (p=0.531) between patients with CD and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), indicating that the groups were homogeneous. Overall, anxiety and depression were present in 65 (40.4%) and 72 (44.7%) patients, respectively. Women experienced significantly more sexual performance/satisfaction impairment than men (65.7% vs. 34.1%, p=), regardless of whether the disease was active or in remission. When comparing IBD types, women with UC had a significantly greater negative impact on sexual performance/satisfaction (85.7% vs. 57.1%, p=0.028) than women with CD. Among men, the negative impact on sexual performance/satisfaction was similar between UC and CD (28.6% and 46.6%, p=0.766). Perianal disease, prior surgeries, or disease activity did not have statistical significance in relation to anxiety, depression, or sexuality rates.
Conclusion Anxiety and depression affected more than 40% of patients with IBD. Women experienced a greater negative impact on sexuality compared to men. Women with UC had the highest negative impact on sexuality.
No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).
Publication History
Article published online:
25 April 2025
© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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