The prevalence of sexual dysfunction, anxiety and depression in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that spans years or even decades. It is therefore associated with comorbidities as well as other complications among which include erectile dysfunction (ED), anxiety, and depression. Method: This was a cross- sectional descriptive study involving 54 male pre-dialysis patients seen in the renal clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria. The history of erectile dysfunction (ED) was taken using the abridge five-item version of the 15-item well-validated International Index of Erection Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the simple hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) screening tool. Results: Fifty-four (54) pre-dialysis male patients were recruited, aged between 26 and 67 with a mean age of 49.65 ±8.37. Only 1(1.87%) was single, 53(98.13%) were married. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 81.5%. Erectile dysfunction had a significant association with depression and anxiety. Respondents had Anxiety, with a Borderline of 7(29%), clinical casenesss 31(57.4%) against normal of 16 (29.6%). While 35(64.8%) had depression, borderline 15(27.8%), caseness of 20(37%) against normal 19(35.2%). Anxiety and depression had a strong association with erectile dysfunction p= 0.02 and p= 0.01 respectively. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of ED, anxiety, and depression among pre-dialysis male patients. ED is strongly associated with anxiety and depression. There is a need always to evaluate our male CKD patients for ED, anxiety, and depression and possibly consider treatment in severe cases.