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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

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24-05-2023 | Mood Disorders | Epidemiology

The relationship between anxiety and vaginal-related sexual health in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors therapies: a cross sectional study

Authors: Karolina Bryl, Susan Chimonas, Xiaotong Li, Susan Q. Li, Jun J. Mao

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 2/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Sexual health problems and anxiety are disruptive symptoms in breast cancer survivors; however, little is known about these symptoms in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors therapies. This study aimed to determine the relationship between anxiety and vaginal-related sexual health problems in this population.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional data from a cohort study of postmenopausal women breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors. Vaginal-related sexual health problems were assessed with the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist. Anxiety was assessed with the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate relationship between anxiety and vaginal-related sexual health adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic variables.

Results

Among 974 patients, 305 (31.3%) reported anxiety and 403 (41.4%) had vaginal-related sexual health problems. Compared to those without anxiety, patients with borderline and clinically abnormal anxiety reported higher rates of vaginal-related sexual health problems (36.8% vs. 49% and 55.7% respectively, p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic factors, abnormal anxiety was associated with a higher rate of vaginal-related sexual health problems, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.69 (95% CI 1.06–2.70, p = 0.03). Vaginal-related sexual health problems were more frequent among patients who were under 65 years of age, received Taxane-based chemotherapy, reported depression, and were married/living with a partner (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors therapies, anxiety was significantly associated with vaginal-related sexual health problems. As treatments for sexual health problems are limited, results suggest that psychosocial interventions for anxiety could potentially be adapted to simultaneously address sexual health needs.

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Title: The relationship between anxiety and vaginal-related sexual health in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors therapies: a cross sectional study
Authors: Karolina Bryl
Susan Chimonas
Xiaotong Li
Susan Q. Li
Jun J. Mao
Publication date: 24-05-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Breast Cancer
Affective Disorder
Breast Cancer
Anxiety
Cytostatic Therapy
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-023-06981-5

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Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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