• Hanne Birke, Ola Ekholm, Jette Højsted, Per Sjøgren, and Geana Paula Kurita.
• Department of Oncology.
• Pain Med. 2019 Jun 1; 20 (6): 1132-1140.

ObjectivesAssociations 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.SubjectsIn 2013, 11,517 randomly selected individuals of the Danish population (18-74 years old without cancer) completed a self-administered questionnaire.MethodsWe 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]).ResultsCompared 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).ConclusionsLong-term opioid therapy for CNCP requires special attention due to its potential in suppressing sexual desire.© 2018 American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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