title: Sexual quality of life in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite improvements in many domains of functioning, sexual quality of life often remains impaired following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study examined associations among sexual quality of life, fear of sexual activity and receiving information from providers about sexual activity in CABG patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a survey assessing sexual activity, mental health and physical health at baseline (3-5-day post-surgery; n=60) and 2-month post-surgery (n=42).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual quality of life showed moderate difficulties at baseline and did not improve by follow-up (p values≥0.09). At follow-up, greater patient fear was associated with lower sexual quality of life in some domains; receiving information was related to lower fear (p values≤0.03) and greater sexual satisfaction and interest (p values≤0.04). Suggestive of mediation, there was a significant indirect effect of information on patient fear and of patient fear on sexual interest (p=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though data were cross-sectional, findings suggest that fears of sexual activity may play a role in lowering CABG patients' motivation for sexual activity and that receiving information from a medical provider may assist in hastening sexual rehabilitation. Prospective and intervention studies are needed to support findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 5510 Nathan Shock Dr. Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. jreese13@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer Barsky
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Shelby
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires