Gender-specific association between health-related quality of life and sexual function in colorectal cancer patients in Iran: a descriptive-correlational study

In conclusion, this study identifies complex, gender-specific associations between HRQoL and sexual function in colorectal cancer patients. Among female patients, better physical functioning and higher energy levels were associated with greater sexual satisfaction, whereas these associations were not observed in male patients, suggesting potential gender differences in sexual health outcomes. In both genders, higher social functioning was positively associated with sexual health, underscoring the possible role of social support. These findings highlight the relevance of considering gender-specific factors when addressing quality of life and sexual health in this population; however, due to the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be inferred. Future research employing longitudinal designs is warranted to better understand the directionality and potential causal pathways of these associations.