Sexual dysfunction in peritoneal dialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
Sexual dysfunction in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is highly prevalent, but studies addressing this issue are scarce. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate sexual dysfunction and the determinants among PD patients.


METHODS
All chronic PD patients in 8 PD centers were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire - the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men and the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) for women - so that sexual function could be assessed. They also answered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
Among 294 patients invited for study, 54 men (mean age 48.8 +/- 10.8 years) and 45 women (mean age 43.6 +/- 7.4 years) were willing to and completed the sexual function questionnaires. The median IIEF score in the men was 56.25. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction, identified by the score in erectile domain of IIEF <or=25, was 51.9%. Older age and higher fasting glucose levels were independently associated with a decreased IIEF score. In women, IFSF score (with a median 27) was significant lower than in healthy peri- or postmenopausal control women. Factors of higher BDI score, receiving automated PD, and older age independently associated with a decreased IFSF score.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual dysfunction is clinically relevant and multi-dimensional among PD patients. Gender differences exist in the attributing factors of sexual functioning. These warrant more awareness and investigation in the global health care of dialysis patients.
Lai
Chun-Fu
CF
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wang
Yu-Ting
YT
Hung
Kuan-Yu
KY
Peng
Yu-Sen
YS
Lien
Yih-Ron
YR
Wu
Ming-Shiou
MS
Chang
Chung-Hsin
CH
Chiang
Shou-Shang
SS
Yang
Chwei-Shiun
CS
Shiah
Ching-Jyh
CJ
Lu
Chia-Sheng
CS
Yang
Chih-Ching
CC
Chuang
Hsueh-Fang
HF
Wu
Kwan-Dun
KD
Tsai
Tun-Jun
TJ
Chen
Wang-Yu
WY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires