Quality of Life in Male Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life (QOL) is affected in hemodialysis patients (HD). A number of factors such as age, anemia, and comorbidity had been implicated in decreased QOL. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent and potentially treatable complication in HD patients. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the possible relation between the QOL and ED in HD patients. Patients and Methods: Among the 511 chronic HD patients dialyzed in 11 outpatient HD centers, 148 male patients (mean age: 46 ± 9 years) were included. The mean time on dialysis was 41 ± 35 months (range: 3–203 months). Biochemical parameters such as BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, serum albumin and Kt/V were measured. The QOL of the patients were measured with the short form of Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36), physical component scores (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS) were calculated. The ED was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Results: One hundred and four of the 148 patients (70%) had ED. Hemoglobin levels were correlated with PCS (r = 0.197, p = 0.02) and MCS (r = 0.20, p = 0.019). Patients with ED had lower scores in nearly all the components related to PCS and MCS as compared to patients without ED. IIEF score was correlated with PCS (r = 0.369, p < 0.001) and MCS (r = 0.308, p < 0.001). In linear regression analysis, IIEF score and hemoglobin levels were the independent variables that predicted both PCM and MCS. Conclusion: ED, a frequent complication in HD patients, was related to QOL together with anemia. Successful treatment of ED and anemia may lead to improvement in QOL in HD patients.

Female Sexual Dysfunction in Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients

“…Improvement of ED is associated with marked improvement in depressive symptoms and QOL assessments. [2,[18][19][20] Guan et al showed that anemia, depression, and use of beta blocker were risk factors for decreased libido in female patients with chronic renal insufficiency. In this study, the main manifestations of SD in female patients were "decreased libido, lack of orgasm and no feeling of sex pleasure."…”

Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among young adult married women in rural China: a population-based study

“…Sexual dysfunction in Chinese rural women JTF Lau et al 18,19 Only 38.7% of the respondents were satisfied with their sexual life, while 64.0% of the respondents stated that sexual life was not important to them. Sexual well-being may therefore have been under-emphasized by females in rural China.…”

Psychiatric Comorbidity, Sexual Dysfunction, and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Case-Control Study

“…It is reported that worsening of the quality of life, especially in physical and psychological areas, increases mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with ESRD, which in turn further increases the importance of quality of life in this group (11,12,13). Studies examining the factors affecting the quality of life have started to increase in recent years, and particularly, SD and anxiety and depression symptoms are suggested to be important variables affecting the quality of life (2,14,15,16,17,18,19,20). Peng et al (21) reported that advanced age, diabetes, and depressive symptoms are independently related to SD and that the quality of life of patients with SD is lower.…”