Sexual dysfunction in women with ketamine cystitis: a case-control study.

Study Type – Prevalence (case control) Level of Evidence 3a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Extreme ketamine abuse not only damages the bladder and results in bladder wall fibrosis, but also causes bladder mucosa ulcers. Women with the presence of LUTs and chronic pelvic pain appear to show an impact on sexual functions. Increasing problems of ketamine-associated cystitis are being seen in daily clinical practice. The present case–control study investigated clinical symptom severity and sexual dysfunction in women with KC. The present study showed, with the exception of the sexual desire domain of the female sexual function index, that patients with KC scored lower on all domains compared to controls. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was high in patients with KC. OBJECTIVE •  To conduct a case–control study evaluating clinical symptom severity and sexual dysfunction in women with ketamine cystitis (KC). PATIENTS AND METHODS •  In total, 29 patients with KC and 27 controls completed the symptoms survey. •  Participants completed a visual pelvic pain analogue scale, an O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index questionnaire, a Female Sexual Function Index, and a short form of the Chinese Health Questionnaire-12. RESULTS •  Both the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index scores were significantly higher in patients with KC compared to controls (P < 0.001). •  The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was high in patients with KC. •  There was a difference in total adjusted Female Sexual Function Index scores between the patients with KC and controls: mean (sd) total Female Sexual Function Index score 17.65 (6.15) for KC cases vs 25.87 (4.16) for controls (P < 0.001). •  Except for the sexual desire domain of female sexual dysfunction, patients with KC scored lower on all domains compared to controls. •  There was no significant difference between patients with KC and controls with respect to mental health as evaluated by the Chinese Health Questionnaire-12. CONCLUSIONS •  Sexual dysfunction and KC symptoms severely impacted on quality of life. •  Mental health had no significant difference between patients with KC and controls.