Sexual function in males undergoing liver transplantation

• Published in: Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (1992) Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 413 - 417
• Main Authors: Coelho, Júlio Cezar Uili, Matias, Jorge Eduardo Fouto, Zeni Neto, Clementino, de Godoy, José Luiz, Canan Júnior, Lady Wilson, Jorge, Fernando Marcus Felipe
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01.10.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Erectile Dysfunction - etiology; Humans; Libido; Liver Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Penile Erection; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0104-4230

Sexual dysfunction is very common in liver transplantation candidates. Our objective is to determine the sexual life quality of males before and after liver transplantation. Questionnaire was sent to 56 males over 18 years of age with at least six-month survival after orthotopic liver transplantation. The self-administered questionnaire contained 15 questions with 5 or 6 alternatives to determine the male sexual function which may be divided into 5 domains: 1) erectile function; 2) orgasmic function; 3) sexual desire; 4) intercourse satisfaction; and 5) overall satisfaction with sexual life. Each answer received a score. Domains scores were computed by summing the scores for individual answers and they were compared before and after the liver transplantation. Twenty-five patients answered the questionnaire completely. All 5 sexual function domains improved after liver transplantation. The score of the erectile function increased from 21.12 +/- 8.07 to 26.52 +/- 5.22 (p=0.004), of the orgasmic function from 7.28 +/- 3.05 to 9.36 +/- 1.47 (p=0.008), of the sexual desire from 6.64 +/- 2.58 to 8.68 +/- 1.35 (p=0.005), of intercourse satisfaction from 9.16 +/- 3.83 to 12.52 +/- 2.65 (p<0.0001) and of overall satisfaction from 7.12 +/- 2.64 to 9.24 +/- 1.65 (p=0.002). Sexual dysfunction is common in males with severe chronic liver disease and liver transplantation improves all sexual function domains: erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction.