Abstract
Background and Aims
Hormonal abnormalities in haemodialysis (HD) patients contribute to quality of life including sexual dysfunction. Whereas Short Form 36 (SF 36) questionnaire deals with the holistic assessment of the quality of life in patients, it is directly impacted by sexual dysfunction or erectile dysfunction in males. In this study we assessed the sex hormone levels in HD patients and its correlation with quality of life (QOL).
Method
In this single center cross-sectional study, 100 patients (50 males and 50 females) on maintenance HD for more than 6 months were included in the study. In female patients’ sex hormones that included Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin, Estrogen, Progesterone was assessed in midweek early morning blood sample. In male patients LH, FSH and Testosterone were assessed in midweek early morning samples. QOL assessment was done using SF 36 questionnaire.
Results
Mean age of our study populations was 33.76+/- 7.86 years with male female ratio of 1:1 and mean body mass index of 20.52 ± 2.89 kg/m2. Presumed chronic interstitial nephritis in was the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (76%) in our study followed by Diabetic Kidney disease (21%). In males, mean serum LH, FSH and Testosterone were 8.58 ± 3.56 mIU/ml, 8.9 ± 4.05, 217.46 ± 96.44 ng/dl respectively with 70% patients having testosterone deficiency. In females, mean serum LH, FSH, Prolactin, estrogen and Progesterone levels were 8.61± 3.86 mIU/ml, 8.08 ± 3.70 mIU/ml, 12.35 ± 5.70 ng/ml, 84.56 ± 27.39 pg/ml and 0.31 ± 0.22ng/ml respectively. Mean SF 36 score in our study was 55.37+/-12.22, in males 54.82+/-12.81 and in females 55.93+/-11.70. The prevalence depression was 53% (50% in males and 56% in females) in our study. There was no significant correlation between SF 36 scores and Beck depression inventory (BDI) scores with LH, FSH in both the genders. In males there was positive correlation between SF 36 scores and testosterone level (r= 0.366), and in females positive correlation between SF 36 score and progesterone level in women HD patients (r= 0.549) was seen. There was a negative correlation between BDI score and progesterone level in women (r=0. -510) and negative correlation between BDI score and testosterone in men (r= -0.371).
Conclusion
QOL as assessed by SF 36 in patients on HD is low. There was positive correlation between SF 36 scores and testosterone level in males and between SF 36 score and progesterone in females.
Quality of life and sexual dysfunction in cervical cancer survivors
