title: Patterns and predictors of sexual function after liver donation: The Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort study.
abstract: Although sexual functioning is an important facet of a living donor's quality of life, it has not received an extensive evaluation in this population. Using data from the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study, we examined donor sexual functioning across the donation process from the predonation evaluation to 3 months and 1 year after donation. Donors (n = 208) and a comparison group of nondonors (n = 155) completed self-reported surveys with specific questions on sexual desire, satisfaction, orgasm, and (for men) erectile function. Across the 3 time points, donor sexual functioning was lower at the evaluation phase and 3 months after donation versus 1 year after donation. In the early recovery period, abdominal pain was associated with difficulty reaching orgasm [odds ratio (OR), 3.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30-12.16], concerns over appearance were associated with lower sexual desire (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.02-16.79), and not feeling back to normal was associated with dissatisfaction with sexual life (OR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.43-8.99). Efforts to educate donors before the surgery and prepare them for the early recovery phase may improve recovery and reduce distress regarding sexual functioning.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Andrea F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: DiMartini
authors.forename: Mary Amanda
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dew
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Daniela P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ladner
authors.forename: Abigail R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Peg
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hill-Callahan
authors.forename: Brenda W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Gillespie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009948:Orgasm; D011788:Quality of Life; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States