Erectile function and associated factors among kidney transplant recipient men before and after transplantation at Muhimbili national hospital: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: The impact of kidney transplants specifically on improving erectile function is still a controversial research outcome globally. Objective: This study aims to assess the erectile function and associated factors among male kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) before and after transplantation at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on kidney transplant recipient men at MNH from January 2024 to May 2024. The IIEF-5 tool was used to assess erectile function before and after transplantation. The study utilized bivariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis employing a generalized estimating equation technique for repeated measures to explore associated factors Results: A total of 67 adult male kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with a mean age of 46.9 years, and an age range from 30 years to 72 years were available for analysis. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) before and after transplantation was 88.1% and 97% respectively. The overall severity status of erectile dysfunction among KTRs revealed that after kidney transplantation 14% had improved severity of ED, 46% had unchanged severity of ED and 40% had a worsened ED. Depression (aOR=0.4, 95% CI=0.12-0.82, p-value =0.012) and iterative transplantation (aOR=5.07, 95% CI=1.87 13.73, p-value 0.001) were independently found to have significant association with erectile dysfunction and its severity. Conclusion: The prevalence of ED among KTRs is high before and even higher after kidney transplantation. Depression and iterative transplantation were independently found to have significant association with erectile dysfunction and its severity.