Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Dialysis patients experience problems related to sexual function due to the nature of their disease and its complications. The present study carried out to determine sexual function in dialysis patients in Kashan city.   Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 72 hemodialysis patients referred to dialysis unit of Akhavan Hospital in 2013 were evaluated. Research instruments were demographic questionnaire and Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Sate (GRISS). Data were analyzed using statistical tests, such as chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Mann-Whitney, independent sample t-test.   Results: In this study, 94.4% of the hemodialysis patients had sexuality dysfunction. Sexual dissatisfaction (79.2%) and decreased sexual contact (76.4%) were the most frequent in both genders. "Lack of erection" and premature ejaculation were observed in men, each one (92.2%), and anorgasmia (90.5%) in women. In this study, there was not a significant difference between sexual dysfunction and age, gender, drug group, and duration of dialysis (p>0.05), while, a significant difference was obtained between sexual dysfunction and education level and cause of dialysis (p<0.05).   Conclusion: The majority of hemodialysis patients suffer from sexual dysfunction, which this problem can seriously affects the patients’ quality of life. Thus, sexual dysfunction should be considered as a major health related concern in these patients. Hence, paying attention to sex function in these patients is of importance.