Erectile Dysfunction Highly Prevalent Among Men on Hemodialysis

[okarol]

Erectile Dysfunction Highly Prevalent Among Men on Hemodialysis
Jody A. Charnow
January 09, 2012
 
Most men on hemodialysis (HD) have erectile dysfunction (ED) and do not receive treatment for the condition, a multinational study found.

Of 946 male HD patients who provided complete data on ED, 83% reported ED and 47% reported severe ED, according to a report published online ahead of print in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. The prevalence of ED was highest among unmarried men (94%). Compared with unmarried men, married men had a 51% lower risk of ED. Each one-year increment in age was associated with a 6% and 10% increased risk of ED and severe ED, respectively.

The strongest predictor of ED was depressive symptoms. ED was 2.4 times more likely to occur in men with depressive symptoms than in those without these symptoms.  Additionally, compared with employed men, those receiving a pension or who were unemployed had a 2.0 and 1.8 times increased risk of ED, respectively.

The study also revealed that only 3% of those with ED and 2% of those with severe ED reported receiving pharmacologic treatment. “The reasons behind such a lower intervention rate are that we still have suboptimal evidence about the benefits and harms of drugs used to treat ED in people on hemodialysis, there is low awareness from treating clinicians, patient embarrassment and the importance of symptoms relative to the patients' overall health concerns,” said lead investigator Prof. Giovanni F. M. Strippoli, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President Scientific Affairs of Diaverum AB, a provider of renal services.

The researchers observed that the ED prevalence in men on HD is markedly higher than that of the general population, in which 10%-40% of men report one or more features of sexual dysfunction. The authors proposed that men receiving HD should be routinely asked about ED using existing and easily accessible validated instruments.

Prof. Strippoli and his colleagues reported that they were not able to confirm previous observations that anemia, hypertension, or dyslipidemia were associated with ED risk.

They noted that their study of ED in HD patients is the largest to date and included men from several HD centers and countries, “facilitating our ability to identify the key correlates of erectile dysfunction by adjusting for important confounding variables that have not previously been accounted for, particularly depressive symptoms.” Of particular importance, the researchers noted, they collected data on ED and depression using validated instruments.

The researchers evaluated ED using the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire and evaluated depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale.

With respect to potential study limitations, the authors noted that their overall response rate of 59% raises the potential for responder bias. They added, however, that the response rate is consistent with or better than any other prior studies of ED in patients with chronic kidney disease.

http://www.renalandurologynews.com/erectile-dysfunction-highly-prevalent-among-men-on-hemodialysis/article/222295/

[iketchum]

I am not embarrassed to say I have ED. I am diabetic and also on HD for 4 years now. I have tried several little pills but they have not helped. I am now trying a new suppository thing along with a pump and wow, what a difference. Now there is the mental block thing to work out with my wife, but that is another issue all together.

[malaka]

Since I'm starting dialysis this week, I've had other things on my mind.  But this information is good to know since I won't think I'm the only one.
Just one question.  What is "that suppository thing"?  I'm really hoping its not what I think it is.

[iketchum]

Yes indeed it is.

[malaka]

Does it come with warnings about 4 hour erections??

[youngdrew]

So I have been searching for info on this topic for a few days now. I think I also may have ED. The problem I have is I'm 27 and kind of embarrassed to bring it up to my doctor. Iiketchum I was just wondering if you don't mind explaining how you brought it up to your doc. Feel free to PM if you like.

[Gerald Lively]

Well now!  Back in the day I had a radical prostatectomy, which means they cut into my lower abdomen and removed my prostate.  It was okay until I stood up, then the damn thing slipped out and fell on the floor, bouncing twice before it made a “ringer” in the wastebasket.  It seems they cut out my roots. 

That was 15 years before I had kidney failure.  Yep, I wasn’t in that study group. 

[malaka]

Your nephrologist should know all about this since you aren't the first nor will you be the last.  Just tell him.

[iketchum]

Youngdrew, we are in all in a situation where we have to share everything with the doctors. You cannot be afraid to tell them about this or anything new, or you will regret it later down the road.Yes, it can be uncomfortable telling a good looking nurse about your problem, but she is not there to ridicule you or to spread the big news.Get help now before the mental block stuff kicks in, makes it harder to get with it. I have gone 4 years before telling the doc. should have done it sooner.

 

[youngdrew]

Iketchum, thanks for the advice. I go see him in February and will talk to him then. Can't say I still won't be nervous but your right better to talk now than deal with more problems down the line.