Sexual dysfunction after renal replacement therapy.
The existence of a sexual problem as the subjective evaluation of sexual function was assessed with a simple questionnaire. Those questioned were patients undergoing dialysis treatment (n = 400) or with a functioning renal transplant (RTx; n = 300) and both men and women in the general Dutch population (n = 591). In the Dutch control population, 8.7% of the men and 14.9% of the women reported a sexual problem, showing a significant gender difference but unrelated to age. In patients, the prevalence of a sexual problem was significantly greater (hemodialysis, men, 62.9%; women, 75.0%; peritoneal dialysis, men, 69.8%; women, 66.7%; renal transplantation, men, 48.3%; women, 44.4%). In RTx recipients, sexual problems were significantly less prevalent than in patients undergoing dialysis (P < 0.001). Only in male patients was an association between prevalence of a sexual problem and age found. The results of the simple questionnaire were sufficiently validated when 102 of 104 patients confirmed their responses in a subsequent structured interview. This study shows that the prevalence of sexual problems in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy is high and clinically relevant.
Diemont
W L
WL
Department of Urology and Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Nijmegen, the Netherlands. w.diemont@nefro.azn.nl
Vruggink
P A
PA
Meuleman
E J
EJ
Doesburg
W H
WH
Lemmens
W A
WA
Berden
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires