[Sexual disorder in hemodialysis patients]

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the sexual problems, to assess their prevalence and to determine the various factors involved in their occurrence in patients on hemodialysis for at least 6 months.

Patients and methods: Fifty hemodialysis patients consulting in the dialysis unit of the nephrology department of the University Hospital Hedi Chaker of Sfax (Tunisia), during the period from 1 June to 30 August 2012, were included in this study, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to evaluate anxiety and depression. The patients' quality of life was assessed by Kidney Disease Quality of Life » (KDQoL).

Results: Patients' mean age was 51.2 years. The average of hemodialysis period was 6,73 years. After the beginning of hemodialysis, 26% of patients were sexually inactive and 62% reported a decrease of their sexual activity. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 86.48%. Mean age of 55 years or greater was significantly correlated with risk of sexual disorders. These disorders were also positively correlated with personal medical history, some nephropathy data, a hemodialysis period greater than or equal to 1 year, depression, anxiety and impaired quality of life.

Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in hemodialysis patients is high and many factors were involved in their occurrence. A collaborative effort between nephrologists, psychiatrists and sexologists before dialysis, seems to be essential.