Inflammatory bowel diseases ( IBD ) is a group of chronic, debilitating inflammatory intestinal conditions. The aim of a review was to assess the recent data regarding the impact of IBD in sexual function of male and female patients.

A literature search was conducted. Fourteen studies were identified; six included IBD patients registered on database or presented in a clinical setting, whereas eight evaluated sexual function after a surgical intervention for inflammatory bowel disease.

The majority of the studies used the validated for general populations International Index for Erectile Function ( IIEF ) and the Female Sexual Function Index ( FSFI ) for the assessment of sexual function among males and females respectively.

An impaired sexual function has been reported in general cohorts of IBD patients; females seemed to experience worse sexual function than males.

Furthermore, depression was a consistent negative predictive factor across studies.

Surgery did not seem to affect sexual function in the majority of studies, except a prospective one which reported a significant improvement in male sexual function ( IIEF, P less than 0.05 ) but not female ( FSFI, P=0.6 ).

In conclusion, sexual function among IBD patients may be impaired, thus more studies are needed in order to develop the appropriate instruments and proper and effective management strategies. ( Xagena )

George M et al, J Crohns Colitis 2015; Epub ahead of print

XagenaMedicine2015