Assessment of sex hormones and their correlation with the quality of life in male hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Abstract. In Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) there are various abnormalities in hormonal levels that lead to impairment of sexual functions, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. Sex hormonal dysfunction not only affects the sexual aspect of human life but has a direct and indirect impact on other aspects like bone health, the central nervous system, and cognitive function. In this study, we looked at the testosterone and gonadotropins levels and their correlation with the quality of life using the SF-36 form.
 Methods. In this cross-sectional observational study, we included 50 male patients on hemodialysis (HD) with a dialysis vintage of at least 6 months. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were done from the mid-week pre-hemodialysis sample. Other hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed as well. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 form. Further analysis was done to find the correlation between SF 36 score and hormonal levels.
 Results. The mean age of our patients was 34.86±8.12 years and dialysis vintage was 24.24±18.74 months. The mean serum LH level was 8.58±3.56 mIU/ml, the mean serum FSH level was 8.9±4.05, and the mean testosterone was 217.46±96.44 ng/dl. In our study 15 patients (30%) had normal testosterone levels >270 ng/dl, 35 patients (70%) had low testosterone level (<270ng/dl). SF36 score in our study was 54.82±12.81. There was no correlation between LH, FSH levels and quality of life. However, there was a significant positive correlation between testosterone levels and SF-36 score.
 Conclusion. Hypogonadism is common in HD male patients. Testosterone level has a positive correlation with SF-36 scores.