Prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction 12 months after major trauma: A national study

Mathew D. Sorensen, Hunter Wessells, Frederick P. Rivara, David H. Zonies, Gregory J. Jurkovich, Jin Wang, Ellen J. MacKenzie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction (SDF) after moderate-to-severe trauma in a large multicenter study. METHODS:: The National Study on the Costs and Outcomes of Trauma was a prospective cohort study involving 69 hospitals from 15 regions in 14 states. Men and women aged 18 to 84 years with moderate-to-severe injures participated in 3 and 12 month postinjury interviews. At 12 months, sexual function was assessed using the Functional Capacity Index. Predictors of SDF were determined using adjusted multivariate Poisson regression. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on patients aged 18 to 30 years. RESULTS:: Of 10,122 weighted subjects, 3,087 (30.5%) reported some degree of SDF, with the majority reporting severe SDF. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of SDF included increasing age (aRR 1.02 per year age), decreasing household income category (aRR 1.12-1.60), lower baseline global health status (aRR 1.27-3.54), preexisting diabetes (aRR 1.34) increasing Injury Severity Score (aRR 1.02 per point increase), pelvic fracture (aRR 1.45), lower extremity fracture (aRR 1.48), and spinal cord injury (aRR 3.73). CONCLUSIONS:: SDF is common and usually severe after major trauma. Injury severity is a significant independent predictor of SDF. This may be due to persistent physical, psychologic, or social limitations from injury. Given the effect on quality of life, these data support the need in the clinical setting to identify and address SDF after trauma. Further investigation is necessary to determine the mechanism by which injury severity mediates SDF and whether earlier interventions can decrease the later risk of SDF.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1045-1052
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume65
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2008

Keywords

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Injury severity score
  • Multicenter cohort study
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Wounds and injuries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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