Sexual dysfunction before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in males

Abstract Background Decreased sexual activity and function are common in patients with CVD and are often interrelated to anxiety and depression. A vast majority of patients won't be able to resume their normal sexual activity after a cardiac event or procedure. Objective: To evaluate and compare the pattern of sexual dysfunction before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in male patients. Methods The study included all male patients aged less than 60 years, who were candidate for on-pump CABG at Ain Shams University Hospital. Patients underwent the following tests: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) to exclude psychiatric morbidity affecting the patients' sexual functions. Arabic male version of Sexual behavioral questionnaire (SBQ) for determination of incidence and type of sexual dysfunctions and the Arabic version of Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) which was applied for the patients' wives. Assessment was performed 2 days pre-operatively and 12 weeks after surgery. Results Compared to the preoperative state, there was a significant deterioration of sexual functions in patients after CABG surgery. Impairment was evident in elements of ejaculation, erection, sexual excitement, and enjoyment and satisfaction items of SBQ (P ≤ 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive factors for sexual dysfunction, which revealed that prolonged CPBT was significantly correlated with the incidence of premature ejaculation (P = 0.04) and the need for re-exploration was significantly correlated with reduced patients' sexual excitement post operatively (P = 0.04). Conclusions Sexual dysfunction is not uncommon following CABG surgery however, sexual counseling is still not being addressed adequately. Participation in the rehabilitation program is the responsibility of the cardiac surgeons, rehabilitation nurses and the patient's partner.