5 research outputs found
Self-Reported Sexual Function in Sexually Active Male Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors
Introduction: Unambiguous data on sexual dysfunction after Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treatment are scarce.
Aims: To form a baseline in this area, we compared patient-reported sexual function in sexually active male HL
survivors in complete remission with a sexually active, age-matched, male Dutch sample population. Furthermore, we explored whether sociodemographic and clinical factors were associated with sexual dysfunction in HL
survivors and investigated whether reporting to perceive sexual problems was indicative for sexual dysfunction.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included male patients with HL who were treated with chemotherapy and
age-matched sexually active males.
Main outcome measures: Outcome measures included the internationally validated International Index of
Erectile Function (IIEF) and self-reported sexual problems by adding 3 items to the study-specific questionnaire.
Results: Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurred in 23.3% of the HL survivors vs in 23.0% of controls: respectively
13.3% and 12.3% had moderate to severe ED. However, more HL survivors positively answered the question
whether they did perceive sexual problems than controls (20.0% vs 7.0%; P ¼ .087). More patients treated with
bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procabazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP) had
sexual problems 33.3% vs 8.3% who were treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine
(P ¼ .057). Importantly, we found that the mean IIEF score for erectile function was 15.7 in HL survivors who
reported to perceive sexual problems (moderate ED) vs 28.3 (normal) in those without perceiving sexual problems.
Conclusion: In general, sexual function of male HL survivors is comparable to that of matched normal cont
Demographic, clinical and lifestyle-related correlates of accelerometer assessed physical activity and fitness in newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer
Introduction: Objective measurements of levels of physical activity and fitness in patients with head
and neck cancer (HNC) are lacking. Furthermore, demographic, clinical and lifestyle-related correlates
of low levels of physical activity and fitness in patients with HNC are unknown. This study aims to
investigate the levels of accelerometer that assessed physical activity and fitness in patients with HNC
and to identify their demographical, clinical and lifestyle-related correlates.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty-four patients who were recently diagnosed with HNC and participated
in the NETherlands QUality of life and Biomedical cohort studies In head and neck Cancer (NET-QUBIC)
study were included. Physical activity (accelerometer), cardiorespiratory fitness (Chester Step Test), hand
grip strength (hand dynamometer) and lower body muscle function (30-second chair-stand test) were
assessed. Multivariable linear regression analyses with a stepwise forward selection procedure were used.
Results: Patients spent 229 min/d in physical activity of which 18 min/d in moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity. The mean predicted VO2max was 27.9 ml/kg/min, the mean hand grip strength was 38.1 kg and
the mean number of standings was 14.3. Patients with lower educational level, more comorbidity and
higher tumor stage spent significantly less time in physical activity. Older patients, females and patients
with a higher tumor stage had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Older patients, females,
patients with more comorbidity, patients with normal weight and patients who have never smoked had
significantly lower hand grip strength. Older patients, patients with lower educational level, smokers and
patients with more comorbidity had a significantly lower function of lower body muscle.
Conclusions: Pre-treatment levels of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and lower body muscle
function are low in patients with HNC. Based on this study, exercise programs targeted and tailored to
patients with low levels of physical activity and fitness can be developed