Original article
English
Sallami Sataa 1, Jamel Dakhlia 2, Baligh Oueslati 2, Klaa Khemais 3
1-Department of Urology, La Rabta Hospital – University, Tunis, Tunisia 2-Department of Nephrology, Jendouba Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia 3-El Amel Dialysis Center, Jendouba, Tunis, Tunisia
IJMBS 2010, 2(2):72-78
Abstract
Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of oral sildenafil citrate for management of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Patients and Methods: A total of 50 men (mean age 49,2 years) with ED for ESRD participated in this prospective study. Patients on HD for at least 6 months and who had a stable relationship with a female sexual partner were included. Patients older than 70 yr with major ED risk factors were not included. They were divided in two groups of 25 patients receiving placebo or sildenafil. Patients in sildenafil group started on a 50-mg dose, which was increased to 100 mg if there was no response after 2 trials. Patients were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and a global life-satisfaction question before and after treatment. In addition, they reported any side-effects during treatment. Clinical and epidemiologic parameters were similar in both groups.
Results: Improvement was observed in 76% of the sildenafil patients compared to 12% of placebo patients according to the IIEF and global assessment questions regarding patient satisfaction. Sildenafil was associated with improvement in the score of all questions and domains of the IIEF, except those related to sexual desire. Sildenafil use resulted in normal EF scores in 36% of sildenafil patients. No correlation was found between sildenafil failure and patient age, duration of ED and the duration and etiology of renal failure. Sildenafil was well tolerated. Side effects were rare and occurred in both groups.
Conclusions: Sildenafil is a safe and satisfactory drug for improving erectile function in selected patients with ESRD and treated by HD. Pretreatment scores on the IIEF may be useful for predicting the success of treatment.
Keywords: sildenafil, kidney failure, hemodialysis, erectile dysfunction.
Link/DOI: sildenafil, kidney failure, hemodialysis, erectile dysfunction.