Kidney transplantation restores sex hormone profile and improves sexual function in ESRD patients with erectile dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and sex hormone profile disturbances are common in ESRD patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of kidney transplant (KT) and Hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis (HD/PD) on the serum sex hormone profile and sexual functions in ESRD patients with ED.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A single-center, nonconcurrent cohort study included a hundred ESRD patients with ED, on regular HD/PD (group A, n = 50) and after KT (group B, n = 50) at Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region, KSA.

RESULTS

the mean age of patients was 47.3 ± 7.01 and 56.8 ± 9.6 years in groups A and B, respectively. The cohorts were comparable regarding patient demographics, apart from a higher incidence of comorbidities in group B. After KT the mean testosterone level was higher in Group B (13.64 ± 3.21 nmol/L vs 10.26 ± 3.26 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Similarly, LH and prolactin levels were lower in group B than in group A (p < 0.05). As regards sexual function, ED was reported in 92% of patients in group A compared to 42% in group B (p < 0.001). In groups A and B, mild ED was found in 48% and 14% of patients, while moderate ED was found in 16% and 8%, respectively. The mean total IIEF-15 score was 36.42 ± 9.33 and 43.87 ± 9.146 in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.0001). Sexual desire and orgasm were significantly better in Group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that kidney transplantation could improve erectile function and restore normal sex hormone levels in ESRD male patients with ED, with better outcomes compared to HD/PD.