Erectile Dysfunction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients at the University Hospital Center of Point-G in Mali

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. The frequency of erectile dysfunction in patients with kidney failure is estimated at 50% to 70%. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients, to evaluate the psycho-social impact and to describe hormonal disturbances. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive prospective study carried out from 3 April to 31 August 2017 in the nephrology and haemodialysis department of the Point G University Hospital. She has been interested in men over the age of 18 who have been on chronic hemodialysis for more than a year. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the questionnaire: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Results: Sixty-five patients were included. Forty-six (70.8%) had severe (30.8%), moderate (13.8%) and mild (26.2%) ED. 56.9% of patients had libido disorders, with decreased sexual desire (38.5%); absent sexual desire (18.5%). Sexual desire was normal in 43.1% of patients. Sexual activity was absent in 20 patients (30.8%). Sexual rigidity was reduced in 28 patients (43.1%) and normal in 24 patients (36.9%). The mean age of our patients was 42.55 years with a median age of 40 years and extremes of 23 and 74 years. Eighty percent were married. Nine patients (13.8%) were using sildenafil-based medications. Antihypertensives were prescribed in 93.9% and erythropoietin in 30.8% of patients. The main impact groups were anxiety (53.8%), fear of failure (27.7%), insomnia (7.7%) and anxiety (6.1%). And defence mechanisms included: understanding (54.7%); isolation (24.6%); repression (7.7%); quarrel (7.7%); and divorce in 1 case (1.5%). The occurrence of ED was related to hypotestosterolemia (p = 0.030), and between low libido and testosterone (p = 0.001). Nutritional status was satisfactory in 78.4% of our patients. Moderate and at and severe undernutrition was found in equal proportions (10.8%) in our patients with a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of erectile dysfunction (p = 0.015). There was no correlation between ED and duration of dialysis (p = 0.715), the existence of inflammatory syndrome (p = 0.870), age (p = 0.249) and diabetes, hypertension, smoking (p = 0.442). Sexual activity was decreased in 41 patients with Hb 10 g/dl (p = 0.340). Conclusion: Sexual disorders are common in hemodialysis patients. Psychological support of the patient is essential throughout the therapeutic sequence of erectile dysfunction, whatever the molecule or physical means considered.