Evaluati̇on of sexual dysfuncti̇on i̇n hemodi̇alysi̇s pati̇ents

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease is a complex disease that affects many systems and has various complications. In this study, we aimed to examine sexual dysfunction, a complication of chronic kidney disease that is often overlooked in clinical practice. Methods: The study was conducted with a group of 80 patients receiving continuous hemodialysis treatment and a control group consisting of 50 healthy individuals. Participants were evaluated with the PROMİS sexual quality of life assessment questionnaire. Demographic information and laboratory data of the patients were obtained from the hospital registry system. Results: While the male/female ratio of the 80 hemodialysis patients included in the study was 42/32, the male/female ratio of the 50-person control group was 25/25 (p=0.781). The mean age of the patients was 36.9±9.9 years, and the mean age of the control group was 32.9±10.5 (p=0.726). The questionnaire total score of the male patients undergoing hemodialysis was found to be statistically significantly lower than the male control group. [18 (8-44) vs 40 (24-45)] (p<0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between age and the total score of the questionnaire in male hemodialysis patients (r=-0.51, p<0.001). Questionnaire total score of male hemodialysis patients with hemoglobin (r=0.43, p=0.004) and URR (r=0.34, p=0.027). A significant positive correlation was found with the median total score of the male hemodialysis patients without diabetes mellitus was 24 (8-44), and the median total score of the male hemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus was 11 (8-36) (p=0.003). The questionnaire total score of female hemodialysis patients was found to be statistically significantly lower than the female control group. [17.5 (1048) vs 38 (12-50)] (p<0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between the total score of the questionnaire and the duration of dialysis in female hemodialysis patients (r=-0.37, p=0.02). There was no significant relationship between hypertension and sexual quality of life in both genders. Conclusion: While many complications are seen in hemodialysis patients and these complications are tried to be treated in clinical practice, sexual dysfunction is generally not considered as necessary due to sociocultural reasons. However, sexual dysfunction is quite common in hemodialysis patients and affects their quality of life. In order to improve the quality of life of patients, patients should be questioned in terms of sexual dysfunction in clinical practice, and they should be treated with relevant medical branches.