Research Communication: Sexual Dysfunction is a Common Early Challenge in Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Sexual dysfunction is an underrecognised concern among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this prospective, population-based study of 289 patients newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), frequent sexual dysfunction was reported by 29.4% of females and 17.5% of males with UC, and by 22.7% of females and 25.0% of males with CD. Sexual dysfunction was independently associated with disability and bowel urgency in UC, and with hospitalisation, impaired quality of life, and fatigue in CD, but not IBD activity or treatment. These findings support early recognition of sexual dysfunction as part of patient-centred IBD care.