ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

PATIENTS ON MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS: ASSESSED BY USING INTERNATIONAL INDEX OF ERECTILE FUNCTION (IIEF)

Abstract

Objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common and distressing health
problem in chronic maintenance hemodialysis patients. There is no such data available from
Sind province of Pakistan on this issue; we want to highlight the factors and prevalence of
erectile dysfunction among hemodialysis patients in this part of our country. Study Design:
This hospital based observational, cross-sectional study Setting: It was conducted at 04
hemodialysis centers of Hyderabad city Perod: In 2014 Methods: The Study was conducted
by using International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) for determination of prevalence
& severity of ED among these patients. Comparative analysis for frequency of ED was also
done between urban & rural patients. Adapted Urdu version of IIEF-5 was used for those who
cannot understand English pro forma. Results: There were total 62 male patients; all of them
were on maintenance hemodialysis for more than 6 months. Their ages were between 20 to
59 years with mean 36±11. In this series of patients 80% (n=50) were < 50 years of age while
the diabetic patients were 58% (n=36). The overall prevalence of ED observed in patients was
88.7% (n=55) in our study. Severe ED was seen in 30 (48.4%) patients. The prevalence &
severity of ED was significantly higher in diabetes mellitus and over 50 years of age. There was
higher incidence of ED 94% observed in patients who are living in rural areas as compared to
urban areas patients 82%. Conclusions: It has been concluded in this study that majority of
male hemodialysis patients were suffering from ED problem. Diabetes mellitus and & > 50 years
of age has the highest prevalence of ED. Erectile dysfunction is very common and distressing
health related issue among hemodialysis patients and this should be addressed with routine