SEXUAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS REFERRED WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AT THE SHAHID MADANI HOSPITAL'S CARDIAC CLINIC

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide as well as in Iran. These patients have a wide range of sexual problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the state of sex function in patients with coronary artery disease.

In a descriptive correlation study, sexual function among patients with coronary artery disease were examined in 253 patients. The data were collected at the Tabriz Shahid Madani Hospital cardiac clinic during the first six months of 1397. Participants were involved with the study using the convenience sampling method. Demographic and treatment-related data with a demographic questionnaire and sexual function data in men and women with standard male sexual function questionnaire (MSHQ-Men Sexual Health Questionnaire) and standard questionnaire of female sexual function index (FSFI-Female Sexual Function Index), respectively, were collected by interview. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

In this study, out of a total of 253 patients, 54.5% were men and the remaining were women and the average age was 51.99±6.65. According to the male sexual function survey, the total sexual function score was 53.46 ±90 out of 80. The rating of the ejaculation dimension was superior to other dimensions. The overall score for the female sexual function was 24.42 ±4.43 out of 36. Women reported the highest score for sexual pain (5.55±.57) and the lowest score for sexual desire (2.83± 1.09). The total score on the questionnaire indicated that 74.4 women had a poor sexual function. Among all women, 27% had no sexual function during the last month. Sexual function was also significantly associated with certain demographic and pathological characteristics such as age, level of education, economic status, Ejection fraction, length of illness, and history of infarction.

Sexual function in these patients, particularly in women, is severely affected. Health care providers should be more attention to the sexual problems of these patients.