Sexual Dysfunction Very Common in CKD Patients

MUNICH, GERMANY—Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in men and women with CKD, data show.

The finding, by Sankar Navaneethan, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues, is based on a systemic review and meta-analysis of data from 50 studies involving a total of 8,343 patients. The prevalence of any level of erectile dysfunction (ED) was 70%, according to researchers.

Based on International Index of Erectile Function scores, the prevalence of mild, mild-to-moderate, moderate, and severe ED was 23.7%, 19.5%, 32.8%, and 24.7%, respectively, the investigators reported at the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association 2010 Congress. In women with CKD, the reported prevalence of sexual dysfunction ranged from 30% to 80%.

In addition, compared with the general population, women with CKD had a significantly lower overall Female Sexual Function Index score as well as lower scores on all individual domains on this scale.