title: The Impact of Hemodialysis on Sexual Function in Male Patients using the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Routine hemodialysis is one of the preferred treatment methods in patients with chronic kidney disease. It seems that routine hemodialysis can be effective in improving sexual function in these patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of routine dialysis sessions over a six-month period on the status of sexual function in men with chronic renal failure using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to November 2016 on patients with chronic renal failure who were first-time candidates for routine hemodialysis and who were referred to Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad. All of the patients completed the IIEF questionnaire before their first hemodialysis. Afterwards, all of the patients underwent routine dialysis sessions over a six-month period and completed the IIEF questionnaire again at the end of the sixth month. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was assessed before and after hemodialysis. The scores on the two IIEF questionnaires were compared according to five domains, i.e., erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. The comparisons were done before and after hemodialysis using the paired-samples t-test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 30 men with a mean age of 40.2 ± 8.2. The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in the order of their frequency was as follows: intercourse satisfaction (100%), overall satisfaction (100%), sexual desire (96.7%), orgasmic function (93.3%), and erectile function (90%). After six months of treatment with hemodialysis, the ratings of all areas of sexual dysfunction were improved significantly (p-value = 0.00 for all domains).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this study, it seems that a six-month course of hemodialysis can improve erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease.
authors.affiliation: M.D, Department of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Science Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Savadi
authors.affiliation: Internist, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaki
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javnbakht
authors.affiliation: Internist, Department of Internal Medicine, Emam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pourrafiee
keywords: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF); chronic kidney disease; sexual dysfunction