title: Quantity vs. quality: an exploration of the predictors of posttreatment sexual adjustment for women affected by early stage cervical and endometrial cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women with early stage cervical and endometrial cancer may experience complex posttreatment changes to their sexual function, but clinical practice and past research have focused more on the quantity than the perceived quality of sexual life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this prospective study were to explore the following: (i) the relative importance of quantity vs. quality of sexual life over the first year posttreatment; (ii) the psychological and sexual predictors of overall sexual function; and (iii) the relationship between sexual function and quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three cancer patients completed standardized measures at baseline, with follow-up at 6 and 12 months posttreatment. Analyses were based on prespecified linear mixed models with overall sexual function and QoL as outcomes, and quality and quantity of sexual life, anxiety, and depression as the main predictors of interest. Radiotherapy, age, and relationship satisfaction were controlled for as potential confounders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory subscales to assess quantity (Drive) and quality (Satisfaction) of sexual life, and overall sexual function (Global Sexual Satisfaction Index); Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General to assess QoL; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess psychological distress; and Relationship Satisfaction Interaction Scale to assess relationship satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The models demonstrated that: (i) overall sexual function was predicted more strongly by the perceived quality than the quantity of sexual interactions, (ii) a small change in perceived quality had a large impact on overall sexual function, and (iii) overall sexual function was a predictor of QoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that quality rather than quantity of sexual life is the best predictor of overall sexual function among women treated for early stage cervical and endometrial cancer, indicating the importance of including quality indices in posttreatment sexual assessment in clinical practice and research studies.
authors: Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Ilona
authors: I
authors: Juraskova
authors: Carissa
authors: C
authors: Bonner
authors: Melanie L
authors: ML
authors: Bell
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Sharpe
authors: Rosalind
authors: R
authors: Robertson
authors: Phyllis
authors: P
authors: Butow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004328:Drive; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009517:New South Wales; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*