Sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic liver disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic liver disease: a questionnaire-based study assessing quality of life measures
IRAS ID
272717
Contact name
Michael Heneghan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sexual health in liver disease has largely been ignored for many decades. As a result, research in this field is virtually non-existent. Sexual health, although a sensitive issue to some, is an important aspect of daily life and well-being. It has been recognised as an important quality of life indicator. Sexual function has an impact on many other social factors such as self-esteem, family dynamics, partner relationships, depression and self-worth.
This project will determine the incidence of sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic (long-term) liver disease, including those that have had a liver transplant in the past, through questionnaires. Whilst ascertaining the frequency of sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic liver disease, we will also identify which areas of sexual health are most affected (e.g. libido, sexual function, depression).
We aim to recruit 200 patients with chronic liver disease into our study through liver outpatient clinics. After patients have given written informed consent to participate in this study (after having a minimum of 24 hours to consider participating), they will be invited to complete the paper-based study questionnaire in any routine outpatient appointment thereafter. Alternatively, they can also take a questionnaire to complete at home to return back to the study team later, and then only complete the cognitive assessments within any routine clinic (only after written consent has been obtained).
The results of this project will be used to produce patient resources, advice sheets and educational materials for patients with chronic liver disease. There is also scope to consider possible interventions to improve sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic liver disease. Following recruitment, the data will be analysed by the research team, published and presented at conferences.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
20/WS/0090
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion