Self-Reported Sexual Function Measures Administered to Female Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review, 2008–2014

Abstract

Background A systematic review was conducted to identify and characterize self-reported sexual function (SF) measures administered to women with a history of cancer. Methods Using 2009 PRISMA guidelines, we searched electronic bibliographic databases for quantitative studies published January 2008–September 2014 that used a self-reported measure of SF, or a quality of life (QOL) measure that contained at least one item pertaining to SF. Results Of 1,487 articles initially identified, 171 were retained. The studies originated in 36 different countries with 23% from U.S.-based authors. Most studies focused on women treated for breast, gynecologic, or colorectal cancer. About 70% of the articles examined SF as the primary focus; the remaining examined QOL, menopausal symptoms, or compared treatment modalities. We identified 37 measures that assessed at least one domain of SF, eight of which were dedicated SF measures developed with cancer patients. Almost one-third of the studies used EORTC QLQ modules to assess SF, and another third used the Female Sexual Function Inventory. There were few commonalities among studies, though nearly all demonstrated worse SF after cancer treatment or compared to healthy controls. Conclusions QOL measures are better suited to screening while dedicated SF questionnaires provide data for more in depth assessment. This systematic review will assist oncology clinicians and researchers in their selection of measures of SF and encourage integration of this quality of life domain in patient care.

A Systematic Review of Interventions for Sexual Well-Being in Women With Gynecologic, Anal, or Rectal Cancer

“…Eighteen distinct measures of sexual well-being concepts were reported, not including sexual health subscales of the quality-of-life scales many authors used as outcome measures. This variability in outcome measures is consistent with the findings of a systematic review of self-reported sexual function measures administered to women with cancer from 2008-2014 (Jeffery et al, 2015).…”

Sexual health of endometrial cancer survivors before and after a physical activity intervention: A retrospective cohort analysis

“…A prospective assessment of endometrial and ovarian cancer survivors indicated that the quality of sexual encounters impacts sexual health more than the quantity of encounters (38), further highlighting the complexity involved in assessing the sexual health of this population. Therefore, future studies should include sexuality-based questionnaires to obtain robust information about cancer survivor sexuality (39). Other authors recommend the development of questionnaires that would better account for the lack of or limited sexual activity within the cancer survivor population (32).…”

How to ask and what to do

“…However, only a few have been validated in the female cancer patient or survivor populations such as the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) [18],and the Sexual Function Questionnaire [19]. More recently, the comprehensive Sexual Function and Satisfaction measure was developed by the National Institutes of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Network [**20]. The PROMIS measure, composed of 81 items that span 11 domains [21], was created as a patient-reported outcome measure and may also have potential use in clinical practice.…”