Male sexual function after pelvic fracture

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Andrology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Pelvic fractures are severe injuries that can impact various bodily functions.
• Sexual health is a critical component of quality of life for many individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and nature of sexual dysfunction in men following pelvic fracture.
• To compare sexual function outcomes between men with pelvic fractures and those with less severe injuries (ankle fractures).
• To evaluate the utility of the Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) as a screening tool.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 51 male patients with prior pelvic fractures completed the BSFI questionnaire approximately 2 years post-injury.
• Responses were compared to a control group of 53 men who sustained ankle fractures.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences in sexual function scores.

Main Results:

• Men with pelvic fractures reported significantly worse sexual function compared to men with ankle fractures.
• Specific areas of dysfunction included reduced sex drive, erectile difficulties, ejaculation problems, and lower satisfaction with sexual life.
• Older age was associated with significantly poorer sexual function scores.

Conclusions:

• Sexual dysfunction is a common and multifaceted issue following pelvic fracture.
• The Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) is well-accepted by patients and effective in identifying sexual dysfunction in this population.
• Screening for sexual dysfunction should be considered in the management of men recovering from pelvic fractures.