Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Paper
  • Published:

Sexual dysfunction in male patients on hemodialysis: assessment with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)

Abstract

In this study we determine the sexual problems and the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male hemodialysis patients by means of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). A total of 187 male patients were included in the study. All of the patients who underwent hemodialysis were asked to complete the IIEF questionnaire. The IIEF domain scores were calculated and erectile dysfunction grading was determined on erectile function domain. Patients were also asked to report whether they had disclosed their sexual problems to physicians or not.

The mean age was 49.3±13.2 y and the duration of hemodialysis was 38.1±8.4 months. By means of the IIEF, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction of any degree was 80.7%. The prevalence of any ED for the patients <50 y and ≥50 y was 74.5% and 86.6%, respectively. The prevalence and the severity of ED was significantly higher in patients ≥50 y. The frequency of intercourse attempts during the last four weeks was 1–2 in 130 (69.5%) of patients. Only 1% of patients disclosed their erectile problems and sought medical assistance prior to our study.

Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients. The prevalence and the severity of ED increased with age. Evaluations for ED should be included in routine assessment of hemodialysis patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Palmer BF . Sexual dysfunction in uremia J Am Soc Nephrol 1999; 10: 1381–1388.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ayub W, Fletcher S . End-stage renal disease and erectile dysfunction. Is there any hope? Nephrol Dial Transplant 2000; 15: 1525–1528.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Glass CA, Fielding DM, Evans C, Ashcroft JB . Factors related to sexual functioning in male patients undergoing hemodialysis and with kidney transplants Arch Sex Behav 1987; 16: 189–207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rodger RS et al. Prevalance and pathogenesis of impotence in one hundred uremic men Uremia Invest 1984; 8: 89–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Thurm J . Sexual potency of patients on chronic hemodialysis Urology 1975; 5: 60–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Levy NB . Sexual dysfunctions of hemodialysis patients Clin Exp Dial Apheresis 1983; 7: 275–288.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Procci WR . The study of sexual dysfunction in uremic males: Problems for patients and investigators Clin Exp Dial Apheresis 1983; 7: 289–302.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Milne JF, Golden JS, Fibus L . Sexual dysfunction in renal failure: A survey of chronic hemodialysis patients Int J Psychiatry Med 1977; 8: 335–345.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rosen RC et al. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF): A multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction Urology 1997; 49: 822–830.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Rosas SE et al. Prevalance and determinants of erectile dysfunction in hemodialysis patients Kidney Int 2001; 59: 2259–2266.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Cappelleri JC et al. Diagnostic evaluation of the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function Urology 1999; 54: 346–351.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Feldman HA et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts male aging study J Urol 1994; 151: 54–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rosas SE, Wassestein A, Kobrin S, Feldman HI . Preliminary observations of sildenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction in dialysis patients Am J Kidney Dis 2001; 37: 134–137.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Chen J et al. Clinical efficacy of sildenafil in patients on chronic dialysis J Urol 2001; 165: 819–821.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Turk S et al. Erectile dysfunction and the effects of sildenafil treatment in patients on haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis Nephrol Dial Transplant 2001; 16: 1818–1822.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Procci WR, Goldstein DA, Adelstein J, Massry SG . Sexual dysfunction in the male patient with uremia: A reappraisal Kidney Int 1981; 19: 317–323.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Beck AT . The Diagnosis and Management of Depression University of Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia 1973.

  18. Hakkinen J, Koskimaki J, Auvinen A, Tanimela T . Erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension Int J Impot Res 2001; 13: (Suppl 4) S28.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A A Esen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arslan, D., Aslan, G., Sifil, A. et al. Sexual dysfunction in male patients on hemodialysis: assessment with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Int J Impot Res 14, 539–542 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900937

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900937

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links