Background: Few studies have reported the relationship between duration of dialysis and effect of kidney transplantation on sex hormone levels and erectile dysfunction (ED) in Chinese patients.
Methods: Our study included 24 patients with uremia who underwent kidney transplantation. Erectile function in these patients was assessed using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and serum sex hormone levels were measured pre- and post-transplantation. Post-transplantation changes in IIEF-5 scores were analyzed according to duration of dialysis.
Results: Twenty-one (87.5%) and 11 (45.9%) of the 24 patients suffered from varying degrees of ED during the pre- and post-transplantation periods, respectively. The pre- vs. post-transplantation IIEF-5 scores were significantly different (p < 0.05) among patients who had undergone dialysis for less than six months. Following transplantation, serum levels of prolactin and β-estradiol decreased significantly (24.35 ± 11.62 vs. 13.93 ± 7.16 ng/mL, p = 0.027; 42.20 ± 15.04 vs. 17.7 ± 7.15 pg/mL, p = 0.000, respectively), whereas levels of testosterone increased (3.07 ± 0.94 vs. 6.54 ± 3.14 ng/mL, p = 0.004).
Conclusions: Successful kidney transplantation can significantly ameliorate ED in Chinese patients, especially in individuals with a shorter time on dialysis. Changes in sex hormone levels may contribute to this improvement in ED.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.