The prevalence and severity of mental health problems and sexual dysfunction in hemodialysis patients before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic

• Published in: Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 1211 - 1219
• Main Author: Duru, Huseyin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kyoto, Japan John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01.12.2022
• Subjects: COVID‐19; depression; hemodialysis; mental health issues; sexual dysfunction; COVID-19; mental health issues; hemodialysis; sexual dysfunction; depression
• ISSN: 1744-9979; 1744-9987
• DOI: 10.1111/1744-9987.13805

Introduction This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of mental health problems and sexual dysfunction in hemodialysis patients before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A total of 84 hemodialysis patients were evaluated in terms of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results Poor sleep quality (79.8%) and poor mental health status (62.7%) and higher likelihood of having depression (31.0 vs. 61.9%, p < 0.001) were noted. The IIEF‐5 (10.5 [5–25] vs. 7.5 [5–23], p < 0.001) and FSFI (12 [4–78] vs. 6 [4–66], p < 0.001) scores were significantly decreased during the pandemic with an increase in the likelihood of having erectile dysfunction (p < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings indicate high prevalence of mental health issues, an impaired quality of life and an increase in prevalence and severity of suspected depression during pandemic in hemodialysis patients along with deterioration in erectile dysfunction among males.