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Publication Information

PubMed ID
Public Release Type
Journal
Publication Year
2015
Affiliation
Departments of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Authors
Butt Z, Dew MA, DiMartini AF, Gillespie BW, Hill-Callahan P, Ladner DP, Simpson MA, Smith AR
Studies
Citation
DiMartini AF, Dew MA, Butt Z, Simpson MA, Ladner DP, Smith AR, Hill-Callahan P, Gillespie BW. Patterns and predictors of sexual function after liver donation: The Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort study. Liver Transpl 2015 May;21(5):670-82.

Abstract

Although sexual functioning is an important facet of a living donor's quality of life, it has not received an extensive evaluation in this population. Using data from the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study, we examined donor sexual functioning across the donation process from the predonation evaluation to 3 months and 1 year after donation. Donors (n = 208) and a comparison group of nondonors (n = 155) completed self-reported surveys with specific questions on sexual desire, satisfaction, orgasm, and (for men) erectile function. Across the 3 time points, donor sexual functioning was lower at the evaluation phase and 3 months after donation versus 1 year after donation. In the early recovery period, abdominal pain was associated with difficulty reaching orgasm [odds ratio (OR), 3.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30-12.16], concerns over appearance were associated with lower sexual desire (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.02-16.79), and not feeling back to normal was associated with dissatisfaction with sexual life (OR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.43-8.99). Efforts to educate donors before the surgery and prepare them for the early recovery phase may improve recovery and reduce distress regarding sexual functioning.