effect of erectile dysfunction on quality of life in male kidney transplant recipients

ABSTRACT

To assess how erectile dysfunction [ED] affects the quality of life in male kidney transplant recipients. We randomly selected 150 cases of married male kidney transplant recipients. Using the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5] Questionnaire, we divided our research subjects into ED group [n=63] and non-ED group [n = 87]. The Short-Form health survey [SF-36] was used to evaluate the quality of life of the recipients. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used to compare the mental health status of the two groups. No significant differences [P > 0.05] were observed between the ED and non-ED groups in physical functioning [PF], role-physical [RP], or bodily pain [BP]. However, the ED group exhibited a lower score [P < 0.05] than the non-ED group in general health [GH], vitality, social functioning [SF], role emotional [RE] and mental health [MH]. There were 13 cases in the ED group with anxiety disorders [20.6%], which was clearly more than in the non-ED group [3.4%, P < 0.05]. Erectile dysfunction is an important factor in the quality of life of male kidney transplant recipients