Practice experience matters
There were some differences among respondents in the experienced group vs. the residents. More men were in the experienced group compared with residents (57.6% vs. 44%, respectively); mean age was 47 years vs. 29 years, respectively; and 71% had 5 or more years of experience in the experienced gastroenterologist group, whereas 78% had 1-5 years of experience among residents.
The survey found that more residents than experienced gastroenterologists “never discussed sexual dysfunction” (38.5% vs. 21.3%, respectively; P = .001) and that more residents than experienced gastroenterologists reported that “patients did not relate their sexual dysfunction to the prescribed therapy” (47.8% vs. 32.5%, respectively; P = .007).
The two groups varied regarding prescription drugs’ role in sexual dysfunction. More experienced gastroenterologists than residents felt that proton pump inhibitors (5.8% vs. 0%, respectively; P = .018) or prokinetics (19.8% vs. 9.5%, respectively; P = .028) might be responsible for some degree of sexual dysfunction.
More residents than experienced doctors felt that other (nongastroenterologic) drugs might contribute to sexual dysfunction in their patients (57.1% vs. 44.7%, respectively; P = .043).
Dr. Romano reported that fewer residents than experienced gastroenterologists referred male patients with sexual dysfunction to an andrologist (frequently/always: 28.1% vs. 44.4%, respectively; P = .004). However, more residents than experienced gastroenterologists disagreed that discussing sexual dysfunction with patients pertains only to specialists (andrologists and gynecologists; 83.5% vs. 71.2%, respectively; P = .018).
Time to step up
Asma Fikree, BMBCh, PhD, of Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, moderated the session. The survey highlights that asking patients about sexual dysfunction is an area for improvement for gastroenterologists, she said.
“We might do it in men and ask about erectile dysfunction, but we are very poor about asking in women,” Dr. Fikree noted.
The pros and cons of different medications should be discussed with patients, she said.
Gastroenterologists need to do a better job of considering how medications can lead to sexual dysfunction and interfere with quality of life, and training would help, she added.
“Some patients might not be very bothered by sexual dysfunction, but others might consider it very important,” Dr. Fikree said. “We should be considering this as part of their treatment and care.”
Dr. Romano and Dr. Fikree report no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.