The Comparison of the Relationship Between Sociocultural‐Economic Features and Sexual Dysfunction Frequency in Sexually Active Premenopausal Female Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

Many studies determine different risk factors for sexual dysfunction (SD) in women, but little is known about the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors, medical and psychological features on female SD frequency in patients under renal replacement therapy (RRT). This study aimed to compare the relationship between medical, psychological, sociocultural-economic factors, and SD frequency in patients on RRT with the diagnosis of end-stage renal disease. The 115 RRT patients (hemodialysis [HD] 39, peritoneal dialysis [PD] 43, kidney transplant [KT] 33) and 103 healthy premenopausal female volunteers (control) without any known health problems were included in the study. The questionnaire forms containing sociodemographic data, the hospital anxiety depression scale, and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale were completely filled by subjects who were included in the study. There was no significant difference about mean age, dialysis duration, and body mass index between the groups. While there were significant differences among participants training period and employment conditions, socioeconomic status scores were similar. Significant differences were found in marriage type, marital duration, husband's age, training period and working time per week, spending time with each other, weekly sexual intercourse frequency, the number of children, mothers' and fathers' education. RRT groups were more depressed than control, but no significant differences were observed among the RRT groups. PD and HD groups were more anxious than the KT and control groups. It was identified that SD rates were higher in KT and dialysis patients compared with the control. SD rates were significantly high in the HD group. Multivariate analysis showed that marital duration and being an HD patient are independent SD risk factors for RRT population. Successful KT may improve SD. Differences in sociocultural, economic, medical, and psychological factors among individuals with SD should be taken into consideration in their treatment management.