[Improvement of sexual function in hemodialyzed male patients with chronic renal failure treated with erythropoietin (rHuEPO)]

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the influence of long-term recombinant human erythropoietin therapy on selected parameters of sexual function in haemodialyzed males with chronic renal failure and severe nephrogenic anaemia. All patients were randomized into two groups. The first one consisted of 11 patients treated for 12 months with rHuEPO in order to achieve and maintain a target Hct value of 30-35% (EPO group). The other 9 male patients were only carefully monitored clinically and biochemically for 12 months similarly as patients of the EPO group but were not treated with rHuEPO (No-EPO group). After 12 months of monitoringan an anonimous questionnaire was completed by the patients describing selected parameters of quality of life and sexual function. Haemodialyzed males treated with rHuEPO showed a significantly higher score of improvement of well-being, exercise tolerance, erection quality and libido as compared with patients not treated with rHuEPO. Results obtained in this study suggest, that EPO therapy shows a beneficial effect on sexual function in haemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure.