Do male lymphoma survivors have impaired sexual function?
OBJECTIVE
Sexual function in male lymphoma survivors was examined and compared with that of age-matched controls.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included serum gonadal hormone levels (testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, luteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle-stimulating hormone) and responses to questionnaires assessing sexual function (Brief Sexual Function Inventory [BSFI]), socioeconomic factors, quality of life, emotional distress, and fatigue. The lymphoma group included 246 men < or = 50 years old at diagnosis who were diagnosed from 1980 to 2002 and treated at the Norwegian Radium Hospital. For each lymphoma survivor, two age-matched controls (n = 492) were drawn from a normative sample with BSFI scores.


RESULTS
The lymphoma survivors had a mean age at survey of 47.4 years, the mean duration of follow-up was 14.8 years, and 79% lived in committed relationships. All BSFI domain scores decreased significantly with age. Lymphoma survivors having low testosterone and/or elevated LH had lower BSFI scores than survivors with normal gonadal hormones. Multivariate analyses showed that increasing age, more emotional distress, poor physical health, and low testosterone and/or elevated LH were significantly associated with reduced sexual function within the lymphoma group. Lymphoma survivors had significantly lower BSFI domain scores than did controls on erection, ejaculation, and sexual satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymphoma survivors had significantly poorer sexual function than normative controls. It is unclear whether the abnormal hormone levels directly cause the reduced sexual function within the lymphoma group or if a mediating factor is involved, such as aging, emotional distress, or perceived health status.
Kiserud
Cecilie E
CE
Department of Clinical Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. cecilie.essholt.kiserud@radiumhospitalet.no
Schover
Leslie R
LR
Dahl
Alv A
AA
Fosså
Alexander
A
Bjøro
Trine
T
Loge
Jon Håvard
JH
Holte
Harald
H
Yuan
Ying
Y
Fosså
Sophie D
SD
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004542:Ejaculation; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology; D016014:Linear Models; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010410:Penile Erection; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone