Correlation Evaluation of Sexuality Disorders with Serum Prolactin, Adequacy of Dialysis, and Some Laboratory Findings in Hemodialysis Patients

Sexuality disorders and infertility are common in hemodialysis patients and may be due to hormonal disorders, uremic milieu, drugs effect and psychological problems. The aim of this study was the evaluation of association between sexuality disorders and some demographic and laboratory indices in hemodialysis patients. In a cross-sectional study, 60 male hemodialysis patients in Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province, southwest of Iran, were studied. Demographic criteria including age, blood pressure, and laboratory findings such as before and after dialysis serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca, P, K, prolactin, Fe, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin levels and dialysis efficacy index (Clearance multiplied by time/volume or Kt/V) were obtained for all participants. Sexually function was evaluated using International index of erectile function-15 (IIEF-15) check-list. Mean age of the patients was 58.9 ± 19.9 years. The patients had significant disorders in all aspects of sexually functions including erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction (P < 0.05 for all). Sexually function decreased significantly with increasing age. Serum PTH level was inversely correlated with erectile function and overall sexual satisfaction. Post dialysis BUN was associated with orgasmic dysfunction and intercourse satisfaction problem. In addition, pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure was inversely correlated with orgasmic function and overall intercourse satisfaction. Our findings showed that in hemodialysis patients, control of hyperparathyroidism and blood pressure, and increasing of dialysis efficacy may lead to improvement of sexually function in hemodialysis patients.