[Erectile dysfunction and renal chronic insufficiency: etiology and management]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has a higher incidence in patients treated for chronic renal insufficiency or in patients who underwent kidney transplanation as it concerns more than 50% of them. Its severity is directly linked with the seriousness of the renal disease. ED is responsible of a deterioration of the quality of life. ED's physiopathology is complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of classical risk factors (endothelial dysfunction), specific factors (e.g., chronic hyperuremia and co-morbidities) and psychological factors. Management of ED must take into account both sides of the disease in order to propose appropriate treatment; i.e, psychological concerns and organic matters. Although literature remains poor in this area, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are increasingly used for these patients as they are safe and efficient most of the time. Pharmacokinetics of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors can be disturbed by the simultaneous use of immunosuppressor. As a second line, intra-cavernous injections remain a gold-standard treatment. In case of failure, penile prosthesis can even be considered in case of renal chronic insufficiency and in transplanted patients.