Factors related to sexual functioning in male patients undergoing hemodialysis and with kidney transplants

The sexual functioning of 13 male patients undergoing renal dialysis and 13 male patients who had received kidney transplants was compared. Standardized interviews were used to assess the frequency of intercourse before illness, during dialysis, and after transplantation and to assess sexual difficulties experienced during these periods. In addition, plethysmographic recordings of erection levels were obtained for three dialysis and three transplant patients at eight separate time periods corresponding to particular points in the dialysis cycle. Assessments of depression and anxiety (IDA scale) and renal functioning (Marital Patterns Test) were also carried out. Dialysis patients were less able to gain and maintain erections than transplant patients and intercourse was less frequent for couples where the husband was on dialysis. Dialysis patients were more depressed than transplant patients, although transplant patients showed greater levels of anxiety. More marital difficulties were experienced by patients on dialysis than patients who had received transplants. The implications of these findings for the treatment of sexual problems in these patients are discussed.