A multimodal intervention to enhance sexual function and quality of life (QOL) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) survivors.

Authors

null

Areej El-Jawahri

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Areej El-Jawahri, Sarah Fishman, Julie Vanderklish, Lara Traeger, Don S. Dizon, Jennifer S. Temel

Organizations

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Research Funding

Other Foundation

Background: Although sexual dysfunction is a common long-term complication in allogeneic HCT survivors, interventions to address sexual dysfunction are lacking. Methods: We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multimodal sexual dysfunction intervention to improve sexual function in allogeneic HCT survivors. Transplant clinicians systematically screened all HCT survivors ≥ 3 months post-HCT for sexual dysfunction causing distress using the NCCN Survivorship Guidelines. Those who screened positive attended monthly intervention visits with trained study clinicians that focused on 1) assessing sexual dysfunction; 2) educating and empowering patients to address this topic; and 3) implementing therapeutic interventions. We used the PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measure, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess sexual function, QOL, and mood at baseline and six months post-intervention, respectively. Results: 33.1% (50/151) of patients screened positive for sexual dysfunction causing distress. 94.0% (47/50) of patients who screened positive agreed to participate. We demonstrated significant improvement in patients’ satisfaction and interest in sex as well as sexual function including orgasm, erectile function, lubrication, and vaginal discomfort [Table 1]. Six of ten patients who were not sexually active prior to the intervention became sexually active post-intervention (P = 0.031). Patients reported improvement in their QOL and a trend toward lower depression (Table). Conclusions: The multimodal intervention to address sexual dysfunction appears feasible with encouraging preliminary efficacy for improving sexual function, QOL, and mood in allogeneic HCT survivors. Clinical trial information: NCT02492100

Patient outcomes:Pre-InterventionPost-InterventionP- Value
Satisfaction with sex10.5223.61<0.0001
Interest in sex11.3013.740.039
Orgasm1.572.780.011
Erectile function17.329.20.002
Lubrication9.3822.850.005
Vaginal discomfort41.6927.150.004
QOL105.43116.030.036
Depression4.353.040.134
Anxiety3.884.340.431

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2017 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B

Track

Advance Care Planning,End-of-Life Care,Survivorship,Communication and Shared Decision Making,Psychosocial and Spiritual/Cultural Assessment and Management,Caregiver Support

Sub Track

Survivorship

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT02492100

Citation

J Clin Oncol 35, 2017 (suppl 31S; abstract 191)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2017.35.31_suppl.191

Abstract #

191

Poster Bd #

A1

Abstract Disclosures

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