Quality of life in male hemodialysis patients. Role of erectile dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Health-related quality of life (QOL) is affected in hemodialysis patients (HD). A number of factors such as age, anemia, and comorbidity had been implicated in decreased QOL. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent and potentially treatable complication in HD patients. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the possible relation between the QOL and ED in HD patients.


METHODS
Among the 511 chronic HD patients dialyzed in 11 outpatient HD centers, 148 male patients (mean age: 46 +/- 9 years) were included. The mean time on dialysis was 41 +/- 35 months (range: 3-203 months). Biochemical parameters such as BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, serum albumin and Kt/V were measured. The QOL of the patients were measured with the short form of Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36), physical component scores (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS) were calculated. The ED was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).


RESULTS
One hundred and four of the 148 patients (70%) had ED. Hemoglobin levels were correlated with PCS (r = 0.197, p = 0.02) and MCS (r = 0.20, p = 0.019). Patients with ED had lower scores in nearly all the components related to PCS and MCS as compared to patients without ED. IIEF score was correlated with PCS (r = 0.369, p < 0.001) and MCS (r = 0.308, p < 0.001). In linear regression analysis, IIEF score and hemoglobin levels were the independent variables that predicted both PCM and MCS.


CONCLUSIONS
ED, a frequent complication in HD patients, was related to QOL together with anemia. Successful treatment of ED and anemia may lead to improvement in QOL in HD patients.
Türk
Süleyman
S
Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Konya, Turkey.
Guney
Ibrahim
I
Altintepe
Lutfullah
L
Tonbul
Zeki
Z
Yildiz
Alaattin
A
Yeksan
Mehdi
M
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires