title: Sexual dysfunction in women with ESRD requiring hemodialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The few existing studies of sexual dysfunction in women on hemodialysis are limited by small sample size. This large, cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of female sexual dysfunction in advanced kidney disease.   DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS,  METHODS:  A total of 1472 women with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis were recruited to a multinational, cross-sectional study conducted within a collaborative dialysis network in Europe and South America. Sexual dysfunction was identified by the Female Sexual Function Index. Correlates of self-reported sexual dysfunction were identified by regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1472 women, 659 completed questionnaires (45%). More than half (362 of 659 [55%]) lived with a partner, and 232 of 659 (35%) reported being sexually active. Of these 659 respondents, 555 (84%) reported sexual dysfunction. Women with a partner (282 of 362 [78%]) were less likely to report sexual dysfunction than those without a partner (273 of 297 [92%]) (P<0.001). Sexual dysfunction was independently associated with age, depressive symptoms, less education, menopause, diabetes, and diuretic therapy. Nearly all women who were not wait-listed for a kidney transplant and were living without a partner (249 of 260 [96%]) reported sexual dysfunction. More than half (128 of 232 [55%]) of sexually active women reported sexual dysfunction, associated with age, depressive symptoms, menopause, low serum albumin, and diuretic therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This descriptive study suggests most women on hemodialysis experience sexual problems. Additional research on the relevance of sexual dysfunction to symptom burden and quality of life in these women is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, S. Maria Imbaro, Italy. strippoli@negrisud.it
authors.forename: Giovanni F M
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Strippoli
authors.forename: Mariacristina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vecchio
authors.forename: Suetonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Berardis
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucisano
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolucci
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sciancalepore
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saglimbene
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonifati
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruospo
authors.forename: Sankar D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Navaneethan
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Montinaro
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stroumza
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zsom
authors.forename: Mariatta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torok
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Celia
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gelfman
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bednarek-Skublewska
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dulawa
authors.forename: Giusi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Juan Nin
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zucchelli
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Triolo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.forename: Jörgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hegbrant
authors.forename: Charlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wollheim
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Cosmo
authors.forename: Valeria M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Manfreda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome