ASSESSMENT OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN FEMALE PATIENTS ON MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Sexual dysfunction is considered one of the main problems of end stage renaldisease (ESRD) patients.Study aim was to assess sexual dysfunction in female patients on maintenance hemodialysis. A descriptive study design was utilized in this study. Study setting: The study was carried out at the hemodialysis unit of Mansoura New General Hospital from June 2014 to December 2014. Subjects of study:Purposive sample was used to collect50 female hemodialysis patients. Four tools were used for data collection including a structured interview questionnaire sheet to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and the biochemical & hematological profile of the study group, a good dialysis index score to assess the adequacy of dialysis, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score to assess the degree of sexual dysfunction and the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess depression state of the study group. The study results revealed that all of the study subjects had sexual dysfunction with statistically significant correlation with older age and self-reported feeling of being under dialyzed, but no significant correlation was found between depression state, urea reduction ratio, biochemical & hematological profiles and the degree of sexual dysfunction. Conclusion:sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in female hemodialysis patients. Recommendations: Increasing awareness about sexual dysfunction in female hemodialysis patients and encourage patients to explore this important aspect of their life.