title: Sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction in chronic hepatitis C patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and dissatisfaction with sexual life (DSL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHC) was jointly investigated via a thorough psychopathological analysis, which included dimensions such as fatigue, impulsiveness, psychiatric comorbidity, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male and female CHC patients from an outpatient referral center were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Structured psychiatric interviews were performed according to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. SD was assessed based on specific items in the BDI (item 21) and the HAM-A (item 12). DSL was assessed based on a specific question in the WHOQOL-BREF (item 21). Multivariate analysis was performed according to an ordinal linear regression model in which SD and DSL were considered as outcome variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SD was reported by 60 (57.1%) of the patients according to the results of the BDI and by 54 (51.4%) of the patients according to the results of the HAM-A. SD was associated with older age, female gender, viral genotype 2 or 3, interferon-α use, impulsiveness, depressive symptoms, antidepressant and benzodiazepine use, and lower HRQL. DSL was reported by 34 (32.4%) of the patients and was associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, antidepressant use, and lower HRQL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of SD and DSL in CHC patients was high and was associated with factors, such as depressive symptoms and antidepressant use. Screening and managing these conditions represent significant steps toward improving medical assistance and the HRQL of CHC patients.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL.
authors.forename: Bruno Cópio
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Fábregas
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL.
authors.forename: Alexandre Sampaio
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.affiliation: Centro de Treinamento e Referências em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias Orestes Diniz, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte e Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL.
authors.forename: Renata Eliane de
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ávila
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL.
authors.forename: Marjore Novaes
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Centro de Treinamento e Referências em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias Orestes Diniz, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte e Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL.
authors.forename: Ricardo Andrade
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Carmo
authors.affiliation: Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, BRAZIL.
authors.forename: Antônio Lúcio
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha