RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with COPD is high and its significance has not been sufficiently stressed. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the factors affecting its frequency in COPD patients. METHODS: Seventy patients with COPD and 68 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used to evaluate ED, and the Beck Depression Inventory was used to evaluate depression. RESULTS: The smoking rate was higher and oxygen saturation (SaO2) and body mass index (BMI) were lower in the COPD group. Blood tests revealed higher levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol. Testosterone level was lower but it was not statistically significant. Various degrees of ED were detected in 78.6% of COPD patients and 55.8% of the controls. Depression was more common in the COPD group. There was a negative correlation between forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) level and ED and between SaO2 and ED in the COPD group. A positive correlation was noted between age and ED in both groups. No significant correlation was found among hormonal status and FEV1, ED, depression, SaO2, or BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides further confirmation that COPD is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. When establishing a treatment plan for improving the pulmonary function of COPD patients, sexual dysfunction and depression, which are usually neglected but diminish quality of life, should also be addressed.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disorder, and is characterized by persistent airflow obstruction. These patients are exposed to severe physical limitations and substantial psychosocial trouble. The aims of this study were to determine the temperament and character profiles of personality in patients with COPD and to compare the results with those of healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty-nine male COPD patients and 67 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed the self-administered 240-item temperament and character inventory (TCI) and 14-item hospital anxiety and depression scale. The relationships between temperament and character personality profiles and clinical factors such as severity of COPD, anxiety, and depression were evaluated. RESULTS: COPD patients had significantly higher mean scores of Harm avoidance and lower mean score of Self-directedness than those of healthy controls. In the COPD patients, the anxiety score was significantly higher (P=0.03) and the depression score was found to be insignificantly higher than that of control group. The TCI profiles were not correlated with the severity of COPD. In COPD patients, Self-directedness and Cooperativeness traits of TCI character negatively correlated with anxiety, but any of traits did not correlate with depression. CONCLUSIONS: The present study defined the Harm avoidance score was higher and Self-directedness was lower in COPD patients and the COPD severity did not correlate with any of the personality trait. We suggest that during evaluation of COPD patients for treatment, personality trait should also be considered in clinical practice.