Sexual function and health‐related quality of life in women with classic bladder exstrophy. (11th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deans, Rebecca; Liao, Lih‐Mei; Wood, Dan; Woodhouse, Christopher; Creighton, Sarah M.
• Is Part Of: BJU international. Volume 115:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 638
• Publication Date: 2014-08-11
• Subjects: bladder exstrophy -- psychology -- sexuality -- sexual function -- quality of life; Genitourinary organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Genitourinary organs -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Urology -- Periodicals; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1111/bju.12811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4096

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate sexual function and quality of life in adolescent and adult women with classic bladder exstrophy (BE). Materials and Methods: A two‐part observational cross‐sectional study with a questionnaire arm and a retrospective case review arm was performed. The study was undertaken in a centre providing a tertiary referral gynaecology and urology service. Outcomes were sexual function and quality‐of‐life scores. Results: A total of 44 patients with BE were identified from departmental databases and included in the study, of whom 28 (64%) completed postal questionnaires. Sexual function scores and quality‐of‐life visual analogue scales were significantly poorer compared with normative data. Conclusions: Bladder exstrophy has a detrimental psychological impact on women. In future, methodical multidisciplinary paediatric follow‐up research will help to identify predictors of better and worse adolescent and adult outcomes. Development and evaluation of cost‐effective psychological interventions to target specific problems is also warranted.