Chronic Pain, Opioid Therapy, Sexual Desire, and Satisfaction in Sexual Life: A Population-Based Survey

TY - JOUR

T1 - Chronic Pain, Opioid Therapy, Sexual Desire, and Satisfaction in Sexual Life

T2 - A Population-Based Survey

AU - Birke, Hanne

AU - Ekholm, Ola

AU - Højsted, Jette

AU - Sjøgren, Per

AU - Kurita, Geana Paula

PY - 2019/6/1

Y1 - 2019/6/1

N2 - Objectives: Associations between chronic pain, opioid use, and sexual problems are acknowledged, but population-based investigations are sparse. Our study aimed at investigating the associations between chronic noncancer pain (CNCP), opioid use, lack of/low sexual desire, and dissatisfaction with sexual life.Subjects: In 2013, 11,517 randomly selected individuals of the Danish population (18-74 years old without cancer) completed a self-administered questionnaire.Methods: We classified CNCP: pain lasting six months or longer, short-term opioid use: one or more prescriptions the previous year, long-term opioid use: one or more prescriptions per month for six months the previous year. Sexual problems were assessed by four closed-ended questions. Data on dispensed opioids were retrieved from the Danish National Prescription Registry. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between CNCP, opioid use, and lack of/low sexual desire, and dissatisfaction in sexual life, presented as odds ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]).Results: Compared with individuals without CNCP, individuals with CNCP in the long-term and short-term opioid use group and in the nonopioid use group were more likely to report a lack of/low sexual desire (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.80-3.88; OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.39-2.38; OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.28-1.67, respectively) and dissatisfaction with sex life (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.07-2.67; OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.00-1.82; OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.22-1.58, respectively). Compared with CNCP patients not using opioids, long-term opioid users with CNCP had statistically significant higher odds of reporting a lack of/low sexual desire (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.23-2.68).Conclusions: Long-term opioid therapy for CNCP requires special attention due to its potential in suppressing sexual desire.

AB - Objectives: Associations between chronic pain, opioid use, and sexual problems are acknowledged, but population-based investigations are sparse. Our study aimed at investigating the associations between chronic noncancer pain (CNCP), opioid use, lack of/low sexual desire, and dissatisfaction with sexual life.Subjects: In 2013, 11,517 randomly selected individuals of the Danish population (18-74 years old without cancer) completed a self-administered questionnaire.Methods: We classified CNCP: pain lasting six months or longer, short-term opioid use: one or more prescriptions the previous year, long-term opioid use: one or more prescriptions per month for six months the previous year. Sexual problems were assessed by four closed-ended questions. Data on dispensed opioids were retrieved from the Danish National Prescription Registry. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between CNCP, opioid use, and lack of/low sexual desire, and dissatisfaction in sexual life, presented as odds ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]).Results: Compared with individuals without CNCP, individuals with CNCP in the long-term and short-term opioid use group and in the nonopioid use group were more likely to report a lack of/low sexual desire (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.80-3.88; OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.39-2.38; OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.28-1.67, respectively) and dissatisfaction with sex life (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.07-2.67; OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.00-1.82; OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.22-1.58, respectively). Compared with CNCP patients not using opioids, long-term opioid users with CNCP had statistically significant higher odds of reporting a lack of/low sexual desire (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.23-2.68).Conclusions: Long-term opioid therapy for CNCP requires special attention due to its potential in suppressing sexual desire.

U2 - 10.1093/pm/pny122

DO - 10.1093/pm/pny122

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29982788

SN - 1526-2375

VL - 20

SP - 1132

EP - 1140

JO - Pain Medicine

JF - Pain Medicine

IS - 6

ER -