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Sexual dysfunction predicts depression among women on hemodialysis

  • Nephrology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Purpose

Depression is common in patients on hemodialysis (HD), and its treatment fails in many cases. Among women on HD, sexual dysfunction (SD) can be an underestimated cause of depression and an impending factor for successful therapy. We aimed to evaluate the association between SD and depression among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) women undergoing HD and to test SD as an independent predictor of depression.

Methods

We studied 55 ESRD women undergoing HD from a single renal unit. We compared sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data and presence of SD between depressed and non-depressed participants, and tested SD as an independent predictor of depression. Demographic data, time on dialysis, underlying etiology of ESRD and laboratory results were assessed in renal unit records. Classification of economic class was according to the criteria of the Brazilian Association of Research Institutes. Each participant was assigned a low-, medium- or high-risk index based on comorbidity. Depression was classified by the 20-Item Version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale using a score ≥18 to classify depression. The Female Sexual Function Index was used to evaluate sexual function considering a cutoff of 26 to classify SD.

Results

Thirty-three (56.8 %) women were depressive and 46 (79.3 %) women presented SD. Depressed an non-depressed women did not differ in sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory results, but the prevalence of SD among depressed patients was higher compared to non-depressed women, respectively, 90.1 versus 64 % (p = 0.029). SD was an independent predictor of depression (OR = 5.62; CI 95 % 1.33–23.7; p = 0.01).

Conclusion

SD must be discarded among women on HD classified as depressive. Treatment of depression among women with SD should include a specific approach to SD.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sobral School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Avenida Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte, 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62.042–280, Brazil

    Paulo Roberto Santos, José Roberto Frota Gomes Capote Jr., Juliana Uchoa Cavalcanti, Cyntia Brito Vieira, Ana Rochelle Mesquita Rocha, Natália Alves Mineiro Apolônio & Elaine Barbosa de Oliveira

  2. Rua Tenente Amauri PIo, 380 apt 900, Fortaleza, CE, CEP 60.160–090, Brazil

    Paulo Roberto Santos

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  1. Paulo Roberto Santos
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  2. José Roberto Frota Gomes Capote Jr.
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  3. Juliana Uchoa Cavalcanti
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  4. Cyntia Brito Vieira
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  5. Ana Rochelle Mesquita Rocha
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  6. Natália Alves Mineiro Apolônio
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  7. Elaine Barbosa de Oliveira
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Correspondence to Paulo Roberto Santos.

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Santos, P.R., Capote, J.R.F.G., Cavalcanti, J.U. et al. Sexual dysfunction predicts depression among women on hemodialysis. Int Urol Nephrol 45, 1741–1746 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-013-0470-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-013-0470-7

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