N13 Sexual satisfaction and its associated factors among patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Japan

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently experience fatigue and depression, which can lead to difficulties in their sexual lives, such as decreased motivation for sexual activity. Despite indications of sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction, few studies have explored these issues. This study aims to clarify sexual satisfaction among patients with IBD and its related factors and to determine the percentage of respondents who were unwilling to answer the question about sexual satisfaction and their characteristics. Methods We consecutively recruited 500 patients from the specialized IBD clinic, of which 492 (206 with Ulcerative colitis and 286 with Crohn’s disease) valid responses were used in the study. To assess sexual satisfaction, we employed a 5-point scale using the "I am satisfied with my sex life" item from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F). We collected information on patient characteristics (sex, age, occupation, marital status, disease duration, and sleep deprivation status). Additionally, we obtained data from the FACIT-F regarding non-response to sexual satisfaction, emotional well-being (EWB), and the Fatigue subscale (FS). Furthermore, we collected information on disease severity from the medical records, including the partial Mayo Score (pMayo) and Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Results Out of 492 patients who participated in the study, 319 (64.8%) provided responses, while 173 (35.2%) did not respond to the sexual satisfaction question. The distribution of responses was as follows: “not at all” (11.0%), “a little bit” (9.7%), “somewhat” (24.7%), “quite a bit” (12.2%), “very much” (7.1%). In the bivariate analyses of sexual satisfaction and related factors, four variables showed a significant relationship: age (rs=-0.19, p=0.001), sleep deprivation status (p=0.003), EWB (rs =0.30, <0.001), and FS (rs =0.34, p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis of the factors influencing non-response preferences revealed that female gender (OR=2.41, 95%CI= 1.55-3.75) and older age (OR=1.04, 95%CI=1.02-1.06) were statistically significant. Conclusion Chronic conditions, such as depression, fatigue, and sleep deprivation, can affect the sexual satisfaction of patients with IBD, even during periods of remission. A substantial percentage of respondents were unwilling to answer questions regarding sexual satisfaction among Japanese patients with IBD. Hence, healthcare providers should consider offering support for sexual issues, recognizing the discomfort some individuals may feel in discussing such intimate matters.