Sexual dysfunction after conventional and endovascular AAA repair: results of the DREAM trial.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To assess sexual function in the first postoperative year after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open repair (OR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

METHODS:

In the Dutch Randomized Endovascular Aneurysm Management (DREAM) trial, 153 patients (141 men; mean age 71 years, range 53-85) were randomly allocated to EVAR (n=77) or OR (n=76). Sexual functioning was evaluated preoperatively and at 5 times in the first postoperative year (3, 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks) using a questionnaire derived from the Medical Outcomes Study. The proportions of patients reporting sexual dysfunction for any of 5 aspects (interest, pleasure, engagement, orgasm, and erection) and any increase in the magnitude of dysfunction were compared between EVAR and OR.

RESULTS:

Preoperatively, the proportion of patients reporting sexual dysfunction in at least 1 aspect was 66% for the OR group and 74% in the EVAR group (p=NS). Surgery had a clear impact on sexual dysfunction. The proportion of patients reporting sexual dysfunction on at least 1 aspect increased to 79% in the OR group and 82% in the EVAR group. The magnitude of sexual dysfunction increased in both groups on all 5 aspects at 3 weeks postoperatively, but this was more pronounced in the OR group (interest: OR p=0.038 vs. EVAR p=0.071; pleasure: OR p=0.009 vs. EVAR p=0.065; engagement: OR p=0.006 vs. EVAR p=0.054; orgasm OR p=0.023 vs. EVAR p=0.112, and erection: OR p=0.046 vs. EVAR p=0.030). At 6 weeks, the OR group still reported a significant increase in 3 aspects (pleasure p=0.031, engagement p=0.010, and orgasm p=0.003), whereas the EVAR group no longer showed a significant difference. From 3 months on, both groups had returned to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS:

EVAR and open elective AAA repair both have an impact on sexual function in the early postoperative period. After EVAR, recovery to preoperative levels is faster than after open repair, but at 3 months, sexual dysfunction levels are similar in both groups.

• Authors: Monique Prinssen, Erik Buskens, Rudolf P Tutein Nolthenius, Steven M M van Sterkenburg, Joep A W Teijink, Jan D Blankensteijn
• Journal: Journal of endovascular therapy : an official journal of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists (J Endovasc Ther) Vol. 11 Issue 6 Pg. 613-20 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 1526-6028 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15615551 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Angiography (methods)
• Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation (methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Probability
• Reference Values
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sex Distribution
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological (epidemiology)
• Vascular Surgical Procedures (methods)