Levente Kriston1, Cindy Günzler2, Anja Agyemang2, Jürgen Bengel3, Michael M Berner4. 1. University Medical Center Freiburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg, Germany; University Medical Center Hamburg, Eppendorf, Department of Medical Psychology, Hamburg, Germany. 2. University Medical Center Freiburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg, Germany. 3. University of Freiburg, Institute of Psychology, Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freiburg, Germany. 4. University Medical Center Freiburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: michael.berner@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Empirical evidence suggests associations between cardiovascular diseases, sexual functioning, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. However, to date, the interrelation of these constructs has not been examined simultaneously in a structural analysis. AIM: To estimate the prevalence of sexual disorders and depressive symptoms and to examine the association between sexual disorders, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in patients in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular disorders. AIM: A postal survey in five German inpatient rehabilitation centers for cardiovascular diseases was conducted. Prevalence of sexual disorders and depressive symptoms were assessed using psychometrically sound instruments. To analyze complex associations, structural equation modeling was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For epidemiological questions, proportions with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The strength of association in structural equation models was expressed as a standardized regression coefficient. RESULTS: Data from 493 patients were analyzed (response rate 22.7%). At least moderate erectile dysfunction proved to be present in 20.3% of men. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction lay at 43.1%. At least moderate depressive symptoms were present in 14.4% of men and 16.5% of women. A considerable association between sexual functioning and quality of life was found in both sexes, which was largely mediated by depressive symptoms. Major drawbacks of the study are imprecision of the estimates due to limited sample size and questionable generalizability of the findings due to possible self-selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high prevalence of depressive symptoms and their role as a mediating factor between sexual functioning and quality of life, it is recommended to routinely screen for depression in men and women with cardiac disease.
INTRODUCTION: Empirical evidence suggests associations between cardiovascular diseases, sexual functioning, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. However, to date, the interrelation of these constructs has not been examined simultaneously in a structural analysis. AIM: To estimate the prevalence of sexual disorders and depressive symptoms and to examine the association between sexual disorders, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in patients in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular disorders. AIM: A postal survey in five German inpatient rehabilitation centers for cardiovascular diseases was conducted. Prevalence of sexual disorders and depressive symptoms were assessed using psychometrically sound instruments. To analyze complex associations, structural equation modeling was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For epidemiological questions, proportions with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The strength of association in structural equation models was expressed as a standardized regression coefficient. RESULTS: Data from 493 patients were analyzed (response rate 22.7%). At least moderate erectile dysfunction proved to be present in 20.3% of men. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction lay at 43.1%. At least moderate depressive symptoms were present in 14.4% of men and 16.5% of women. A considerable association between sexual functioning and quality of life was found in both sexes, which was largely mediated by depressive symptoms. Major drawbacks of the study are imprecision of the estimates due to limited sample size and questionable generalizability of the findings due to possible self-selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high prevalence of depressive symptoms and their role as a mediating factor between sexual functioning and quality of life, it is recommended to routinely screen for depression in men and women with cardiac disease.
Authors: Stacy Tessler Lindau; Emily Abramsohn; Kensey Gosch; Kristen Wroblewski; Erica S Spatz; Paul S Chan; John Spertus; Harlan M Krumholz Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 2012-05-15 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: Stacy Tessler Lindau; Emily M Abramsohn; Héctor Bueno; Gail D'Onofrio; Judith H Lichtman; Nancy P Lorenze; Rupa Mehta Sanghani; Erica S Spatz; John A Spertus; Kelly Strait; Kristen Wroblewski; Shengfan Zhou; Harlan M Krumholz Journal: Circulation Date: 2014-12-15 Impact factor: 29.690