1. ¹Division of Nephrology, University Medical Center St Radboud Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2. ²Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Medical Center St Radboud Nijmegen, The Netherlands
3. ³Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Medical Center St Radboud Nijmegen, The Netherlands
4. ⁴Clinical Vascular Laboratory, University Medical Center St Radboud Nijmegen, The Netherlands
5. ⁵Division of Nephrology, University Medical Center St Radboud Nijmegen, The Netherlands
6. ⁶Department of Urology, University Medical Center St Radboud Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Correspondence: WL Diemont, MD, Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centree Lareb, Goudsbloemvallei 7, 5237 MH, 's-Heetogenbosch, The Netherlands. E-mail: w.diemont@lareb.nl.

Received 7 May 2002; Revised 12 August 2002; Accepted 17 September 2002.

Abstract

A total of 76 male patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) were investigated. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was defined as insufficient erection during visual erotic stimulation (VES) or during sleep as measured with Rigiscan^® and Erectiometer^®. Data on medical history, physical examination, and laboratory variables were collected. Furthermore, penile pharmacological duplex ultrasonography (PPDU) was performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine prognostic values and to develop prognostic models. Independent prognostic factors for ED were the number of cardiovascular events, waist–hip ratio, body mass index, and acceleration time (AT) as measured with PPDU. Independent prognostic factors for an abnormal AT (>100 ms) were number of cardiovascular events, age category, and the presence of carotid bruits. Independent prognostic factors for insufficient veno-occlusion during PPDU were number of cardiovascular events and supine diastolic blood pressure. The vascular contribution to ED in patients on RRT is substantial. Data from medical history, limited physical examination, and PPDU contribute to the prediction of the vascular contribution to ED.