Objective: To assess sexual function and quality of life (QOL) in Korean women with chronic renal failure (CRF) receiving hemodialysis.
Methods: Between March 2006 and February 2007, we enrolled 38 consecutive patients between 30 and 64 years old (mean age, 46.1 years old). We enrolled 37 age-matched individuals who visited health promotion center in the study as controls. All were evaluated for estradiol, testosterone, prolactin, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. To obtain sexual function and QOL assessments, the patients and controls were asked to fill out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36).
Results: The rate of menopause was significantly different between groups (78.9% in the patient group and 27.0% in the control group, P <0.001). The patient group had lower levels of estradiol and testosterone and higher levels of prolactin and FSH than the control groups (all P <0.05). Of the six domains in the FSFI questionnaire, scores of all domains, namely, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (all P <0.05). Regarding the SF-36, the patient group had lower scores on physical functioning, role-physical functioning, role-emotional functioning, vitality, and general health perception (all P <0.05).
Conclusions: Hormone disturbances and early menopause are common in Korean women with CRF receiving hemodialysis. In addition, our findings suggest that these patients have higher disturbances in sexual function and QOL than the normal population.