[Sexual dysfunction among 78 Moroccan male hemodialysis patients: clinical and endocrine study].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between biochemical and endocrine variables with sexual disorders in 78 male patients on chronic hemodialysis at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital (Casablanca-Morocco).


METHODS
Seventy-eight male hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure were evaluated with regard to their sexual function. All patients answered a personal questionnaire on their sexual activity. Hormone (FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, and parathyroid hormone) and zinc and ferritin assays were also performed.


RESULTS
The men reported erection (44.9%), libido (44.9%), ejaculation (26.8%), and orgasm (21.8%) disorders. Gynecomastia was observed in 17.9% of the patients. There was no correlation with weight nor the nature of the causal nephropathy nor with duration of dialysis. Levels of gonadotropins (FSH, LH), prolactin, and parathyroid hormone were elevated. Testosterone levels were low. Ferritinemia was elevated but there was no significant variation in zincemia. There was a negative curvilinear relationship between serum testosterone and sexual disorders, and between gynecomastia and ferritinemia. LH and prolactin levels were positively correlated with gynecomastia.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal hormonal and iron overload could be important factors involved in the complex pathogenesis of sexual dysfunction in chronic renal failure patients undergoning hemodialysis.
Service de néphrologie-hémodialyse, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc.
M
M
Zamd
M
M
Farh
O
O
Hbid
M
M
Zabari
M
M
Benghanem Gharbi
B
B
Ramdani
D
D
Zaïd
N
N
El Abbadi
K
K
Lalaoui
A
A
Belhouari
E
E
Hassan Tahri
D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D005293:Ferritins; D015032:Zinc