The Effect of Coronary Artery Disease and Related Drugs on Sexual Activity in Turkish Society

Abstract

Objective: Sexual dysfunction after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), is a frequently encountered problem in clinical practice. The aim of our study is to determine the time it takes for patients to switch to a healthy sexual life, which is one of the basic elements of a healthy social life, after a cardiovascular event in Turkish society and investigation of the effect of drugs related to ACS on sexual activity. Method: In our study, volunteer women and men who had a cardiovascular event at least 3 months before and were sexually active before the ACS between January 2017-December 2019 were evaluated using a closed questionnaire. The demographic characteristics of the patients, their comorbidities and medications, and their sexual activity levels before and after the ACS were compared. Results: After ACS, sexual dysfunction developed in 36% (n=117) of the patients. In the group with sexual dysfunction, heart failure [21% (n=25) - 9% (n=18) - p=0.001], chronic renal failure [9% (n=11) - 0% (n=0) p<0.001], and BPH presence [34% (n=40)- (11% (n=23) p<0.001] were higher. Similarly, beta-blocker use [95% (n=111) - 84% (n=172) p=0.001] and ACE-I/ARB use [62% (n=73) - 54% (n=111) p=0.05] were also higher in participants with sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: In our study, an increase in the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was observed in patients with multiple comorbidities, especially heart failure. Sexual dysfunction was found to be higher in patients using beta-blockers.