title: Sexual function and chemotherapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This cross-sectional, nested cohort study assessed Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores in postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving primary chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The FSFI questionnaire was administered to 24 postmenopausal women one month after diagnosis of breast cancer (post-diagnosis group) and one month after completion of the first cycle of primary anthracyclin-based chemotherapy (post-chemotherapy group). Scores were compared to those of 24 healthy postmenopausal women seeking routine gynecological care (control group). All patients were sexually active at the time of enrollment. Mean age was 57.29 ± 11.82 years in the breast cancer group and 52.58 ± 7.19 years in the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scores in all domains of the FSFI instrument were significantly lower in the post-diagnosis group than in controls (-41.3%, p < 0.001). A further major reduction in FSFI scores was evident on completion of one cycle of primary chemotherapy (down 46.7% from post-diagnosis scores, p < 0.003), again in all domains. Six patients (25%) ceased all sexual relations, in a significant change from baseline (p < 0.001). After one chemotherapy cycle, a further five patients ceased sexual activity, for a total of 11 (45.8%) participants--a borderline significant difference (p = 0.063).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that female sexual function as assessed by the FSFI declines significantly at two distinct points in time: upon diagnosis of breast cancer and after administration of systemic chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Breast Care Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brasil. jacc@orion.ufrgs.br
authors.forename: José Antônio Crespo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cavalheiro
authors.forename: Anacristinadacosta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bittelbrunn
authors.forename: Carlos Henrique
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Menke
authors.forename: Jorge Villanova
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Biazús
authors.forename: Nilton Leite
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cericatto
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schuh
authors.forename: Caroline Vieira
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Eduardo Pandolfi
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Passos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide