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Sexual function in long-term male lymphoma survivors after high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 55, pages 891–905 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Reduced sexual function may have negative implications on health related quality of life among lymphoma survivors. A national cross-sectional study among long-term lymphoma survivors after high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation auto-SCT treated during 1987–2008 was conducted in 2012–2014. The current study explored sexual functioning among these survivors. Sixty-six percent (n = 159) of eligible men with complete questionnaire data were included, median age was 55 years. The Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) was used to assess sexual function and sexual satisfaction, compared with age-matched controls. In addition, sexual problems were defined based on predetermined cutoff values for BSFI domain scores. Sexual drive and erections firm enough to have sexual intercourse were reported to be present only a few days or less last month among 30% and 41% of survivors, respectively. Sexual satisfaction was reported by 39% of survivors. The survivors had significantly lower scores on all BSFI domains and an increased risk of problems with sexual drive and erection compared with controls. In multivariable models, cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with worse erectile function, while age > 55 years, chronic fatigue, and physical inactivity were significantly associated with lower sexual functioning overall. Chronic fatigue and anxiety were related to lower sexual satisfaction.

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Acknowledgements

We would especially thank the participating survivors for sharing their time and experiences with us. We also thank the Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation and the Norwegian Cancer Society who made this research possible.

Funding

Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation (2017/FO 149291).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Hanne Skjerven Bersvendsen & Hege Sagstuen Haugnes

  2. Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Hanne Skjerven Bersvendsen & Hege Sagstuen Haugnes

  3. National Advisory Unit for Late Effects After Cancer, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway

    Alv A. Dahl, Mette Seland, Knut Bjøro Smeland & Cecilie Essholt Kiserud

  4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Alv A. Dahl

  5. Department of Oncology, St. Olav’s Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    Unn-Merete Fagerli

  6. Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Unn-Merete Fagerli

  7. Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    Øystein Fluge

  8. Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway

    Harald Holte

  9. K.G. Jebsen-Centre for B cell malignancies, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Harald Holte

  10. Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Tom Wilsgaard

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  1. Hanne Skjerven Bersvendsen
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  2. Hege Sagstuen Haugnes
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  10. Cecilie Essholt Kiserud
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Correspondence to Hanne Skjerven Bersvendsen.

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Bersvendsen, H.S., Haugnes, H.S., Dahl, A.A. et al. Sexual function in long-term male lymphoma survivors after high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 55, 891–905 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-019-0745-4

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