Sexuality in patients with noninvasive mechanical ventilation due to chronic respiratory failure

In patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) noninvasive mechanical v entilation (NMV) improves quality of life. We studied some basic issues con cerning sexuality in patients with NMV. In 383 patients with NMV for CRF (a ge, > 40 yr) physiologic data (lung function, blood gases, and exercise) we re taken from within the 6 mo period before enrollment. The questionnaire w as focused on sexuality after initiation of NMV. Of the patients 54.3% sent back the questionnaire. NMV was used for 41.1 +/- 27.0 mo. A total of 34.1 % of patients were sexually active. Compared with patients receiving NMV, c ontrol persons had a higher rate of sexual activity (84%, p < 0.0001) and m asturbation rate (13 versus 40%). Sexually active patients had greater VC ( 2.1 versus 1.8 L), higher FEV1 (1.4 versus 1.1 L), higher Pa-O2 at rest (64 .0 versus 60.4 min Hg), a higher maximal work load (72.0 versus 58.8 W), we re younger, and most of them were married or had sexual partners. Changes i n sexual activity after NMV initiation were reported to be as follows. "Not hing changed," 46.3%; "less active," 35.8%; "more active," 12.6%; and "fant asy increased," 10.5%. Increased sexual fantasy predominated in men. "Sexua lly active" patients with NMV had sexual intercourse 5.4 +/- 4.8 times per month. Sexuality in patients receiving NMV for CRF is markedly reduced comp ared with normal subjects.. In half of the patients, sexual activity is inf luenced by initiation of NMV.