General health and quality of life in patients with sexual dysfunctions.

PURPOSE

To study the general health and quality of life in patients with sexual dysfunctions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty-seven patients with diagnosis of a known sexual dysfunction (SD) were studied. A healthy group of 111 individuals matched for sex, education, and marital status were also selected as a control group. Both groups completed two questionnaires: General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and Personal Wellbeing Index- Adult (PWI-A). To analyze data, descriptive methods as well as student t test for independent groups were used.

RESULTS

The mean scores for individuals suffering from SD were more than the control group in total GHQ scale and all its subscales. The mean scores in total PWI-A scale and most of its subscales for individuals suffering from SD were lower than the control group. Since the obtained t values (4.16 to 5.22) for all the comparisons done between the mean scores in GHQ for the two groups were higher than t value in the t table for df = 206 at α = 0.01 (2.58), differences obtained were significant. Since obtained t values (-2.03 to 4.65) for total quality of life and health, achievements, personal relationship, safety, and feeling part of community dimensions were higher than t value in the t table for df = 206 at α = 0.05 and α = 0.01 (1.96 and 2.58, respectively), differences obtained except for standard of living and future security were significant.

CONCLUSION

Somatic, social, and mental measures for people having sexual dysfunctions (patient group) were lower than the control group.