Sildenafil citrate can improve erectile dysfunction among chronic hemodialysis patients

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who undergo hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of sildenafil in male HD patients with ED. Twenty-seven HD patients were recruited for this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial study of sildenafil during a period of 1 week. Efficacy was assessed by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) before and 1 week after treatment. Baseline demographic and clinical features were similar in both the groups. There was a weak correlation between ED and duration of undergoing dialysis (P = 0.073). There was significant relationship between sildenafil usage and improvement in erectile function (P < 0.0001). Placebo improved significantly the erectile function (P = 0.016), perhaps by psychological way. However, sildenafil had a more significant effect than placebo in increasing IIEF score among HD patients (P = 0.00 compared to 0.016). Sildenafil is effective and safe for treating ED among HD patients.