Saudi Arabia: Kidney transplantation (KT) in young patients on dialysis improves erectile dysfunction and impacts sexual function in a positive way, a recent study in the journal Urology has stated. Dialysis duration before KT did not move improvement in erectile dysfunction after transplantation.
Hany M El Hennawy, Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region, Khamis Mushayte, KSA, and colleagues conducted the single-center cross-sectional prospective study with the objective of examining the effects of successful kidney transplantation on erectile function in male patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

They assessed the erectile dysfunction in male patients one month before and one year after kidney transplantation. A validated, self-administered translated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire was validated. Also, a sub-analysis was done by dividing the cohort into two age groups: <50 and ≥50 yr.
The key findings of the study are as follows:
· 68 ESRD patients underwent kidney transplantation (KT) between September 2017 and February 2021, with a mean age of 48.9 ± 12.9 years.
· Thirty-one patients were below 50 years (Group I). The median hemodialysis duration was 12 months. 92.6% of patients had ED.
· The mean total IIEF-15 score before and after was 46.8/75 ±12.7 and 55.5 ±13, respectively.
· 67.6% reported improved erectile function, 32.4% did not demonstrate any change, and no patient reported deterioration.
· After KT, sexual desire, orgasm, and overall patient satisfaction improved significantly.
· Before KT, 83.8% and 100% of groups I and II patients had ED, which dropped to 22.6% and 86.5%, respectively, after KT. IIEF-15 scores improved in both groups.
· The improvement in ED was observed significantly in young patients with mild ED.
The researchers conclude, "the positive effect of transplantation on erectile dysfunction could encourage ESRD patients to undergo kidney transplantation."
Reference:
The study titled, "Does Kidney Transplantation Help Young Patients on Dialysis with Erectile Dysfunction? A Single-Center Study," was published in the journal Urology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2022.07.042