Sexuality as a Prognostic Factor—Results of an Individual Patient Data NOGGO (North-Eastern German Society of Gynecological Oncology)-Meta-Analysis of 644 Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Patients Prior to Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between sexuality, quality of life, treatment discontinuation, and survival in recurrent ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Raw data from various phase II/III studies, including the questionnaires EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OV28, were included. Data from the meta-analysis were calculated using logistic and Cox regression. Results: Data on sexuality were available for 644 patients. A total of 162 patients had an interest in sex and were sexually active (Group A). A total of 45 patients had an interest in sex and were sexually not active (Group I) and 437 patients had no interest in sex and were not sexually active (Group N). Group A was younger in median age (age at randomization), at 57 years, than Group I, at 60 years, and Group N, at 65 years (p p p p p = 0.012). In addition, Group A reported less pain, less peripheral neuropathy, and less fatigue (all p p < 0.001). Conclusions: Physicians should routinely address the topic of sexuality with ovarian cancer patients. Sexuality appears to be a marker for quality of life as well as overall survival.

Keywords

• ovarian cancer
• interest in sex
• sexual activity
• quality of life
• discontinuation of chemotherapy
• survival