Sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a retrospective longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract Background Breast cancer treatment leads to physical and psychological changes. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of sexual dysfunction and its risk factors in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods This retrospective cohort study included women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer (exposed group, n = 90) and healthy women (non-exposed group, n = 93). Data were collected from medical records and using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Primary outcomes were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze FSFI domains between groups. Results The exposed group had a 74% incidence of sexual dysfunction and 3.9 times increased chances of having sexual dysfunction compared with the non-exposed group (OR: 3.9, CI: 1.8 to 8.2, p < 0.001). Presence of comorbidities increased the chances of sexual dysfunction by 2.5 times (OR: 2.5, CI: 1.2 to 4.9, p = 0.009). Conclusion Women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer had a higher incidence of sexual dysfunction than healthy women. Furthermore, comorbidities also increased the chances of sexual dysfunction regardless of exposure to breast cancer.