Sexuality and the life-style of home dialysis patients

This study was designed to assess the impact of chronic illness on the sexuality and life-style of a group of veterans with end stage renal disease. Thirty-two married home dialysis patients and 14 of their wives were interviewed by a sex therapist. An Index of Sexual Function (ISF) was developed to quantify 5 aspects of male genital function. The Index was correlated with the following: other major areas of sexuality including masculine self-concept, sex drive, sexual activity, sexual relationship, and sexual satisfaction; quality of life factors such as work, marital adjustment, and sociability; several demographic factors; and 15 medical variables. There were significant correlations between genital function and sexual satisfaction, the patient's attitude toward the importance of sex, sex drive, and positive feelings about the self. Better sexual function occurred in the patients with the least neuropathy; there was no correlation with other medical factors. Of the patients studies, 9 (28%) had full sexual function, 7 (22%) had moderate dysfunction, and 16 (50%) had severe dysfunction. Despite the genital dysfunction, marital and social adjustment of our patients compared favorably with studies of couples in the general population. After this study a sex counseling program was developed.