An official website of the United States government

This repository is under review for potential modification in compliance with Administration directives.

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.