title: The impact of nocturnal hemodialysis on sexual function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and treatment options are limited. Observational studies suggest that nocturnal hemodialysis may improve sexual function. We compared sexual activity and responses to sexual related questions in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form questionnaire among patients randomized to frequent nocturnal or thrice weekly conventional hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a secondary analysis of data from an RCT which enrolled 51 patients comparing frequent nocturnal and conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis. Sexual activity and responses to sexual related questions were assessed at baseline and six months using relevant questions from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, there was no difference in sexual activity, or the extent to which people were bothered by the impact of kidney disease on their sex life between the two groups between randomization and 6 months. However, women and patients age < 60 who were randomized to frequent nocturnal hemodialysis were less bothered by the impact of kidney disease on their sex life at 6 months, compared with patients allocated to conventional hemodialysis (p = 0.005 and p = 0.024 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that frequent nocturnal hemodialysis is not associated with an improvement in sexual activity in all patients but might have an effect on the burden of kidney disease on sex life in women and patients less than 60 years of age. The validity of these subgroup findings require confirmation in future RCTs.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. adam.bass@albertahealthservices.ca
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Bass
authors: Sofia B
authors: SB
authors: Ahmed
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Klarenbach
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Culleton
authors: Brenda R
authors: BR
authors: Hemmelgarn
authors: Braden
authors: B
authors: Manns
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome