title: Acupuncture for erectile dysfunction in a non-diabetic haemodialysis patient: a case report.
abstract: Erectile dysfunction (ED) significantly affects the quality of life in male haemodialysis patients. This study reports the observed effects of acupuncture for ED in a non-diabetic haemodialysis patient. A 43-year-old man undergoing haemodialysis received 12 sessions of manual acupuncture over 6 weeks and was observed for 6 months after the end of treatment. Total International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire scores of the patient were changed from 32 at baseline to 60 at post-treatment evaluation, which means there was a significant improvement of ED. All International Index of Erectile Function subscales also increased. This beneficial effect lasted up to 6 months after the end of treatment. No adverse events were observed. An interview revealed that the lowered self-esteem of the patient was restored with the improvement of ED following acupuncture. Further controlled studies are needed to determine whether acupuncture might be a feasible and useful treatment option for erectile dysfunction in haemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kun Hyung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Hun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong-In
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jae-Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Sul
authors.forename: Sun Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010410:Penile Erection; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome