Association between Sexual Function and Marital Relationship in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

BACKGROUND Patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) may report difficulties with sexual function and marital relationship. However, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the association between these aspects in IHD patients. The present study sought to assess the association between sexual function and marital relationship among IHD patients and also test the effect modification of gender, education level, and marital distress on the above association. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 551 patients with IHD were enrolled and their sexual function and marital relationship quality were assessed with the Relation and Sexuality Scale (RSS) and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), respectively. Association between marital relationship quality and sexual function was assessed with respect to gender, education level, and marital distress. RESULTS Most participants (72%) were men at a mean age of 57 ± 11 (range = 36-80) years. Total sexual function was significantly correlated with total marital quality (r = -0.28), marital consensus (r = -0.17), marital coherence (r = -0.19), marital affection expression (r = -0.22), and marital satisfaction (r = -0.25). Total marital quality also showed a significant association with sexual fear (r = -0.11). These associations were moderated by gender, education level, and marital distress level. CONCLUSION Among the IHD patients, sexual function and marital relationship quality showed a mild to moderate association. Association between sexual function and marital relationship quality, however, may depend on gender, education level, and marital distress level.