BACKGROUND:

Male patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis frequently suffer from erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vardenafil for treating erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease, on hemodialysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A nonrandomized, controlled study was conducted on patients with kidney disease, on dialysis, that received 20 mg of vardenafil three times a week as erectile dysfunction treatment. Patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least six months that had a stable relationship with a female sexual partner were included in the study. Patients with angina, severe anemia, cirrhosis, or under treatment with nitrates were excluded. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used to evaluate erectile dysfunction and treatment response.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and twenty-six patients(mean age 35.4, 42.3% with diabetes, 36.7% with high blood pressure, mean time on hemodialysis 8.9 years) were evaluated. Vardenafil was associated with improvement in the scores of all questions and domains. A normal erectile dysfunction score was achieved in 13.6% of the patients and the drug was well tolerated. Twenty-five percent of the patients experienced headache and 13.4% had flushing.

CONCLUSION:

Oral vardenafil appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment for erectile dysfunction in selected patients with chronic kidney disease that are on hemodialysis.

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