Experience with pos Sildenafil in hemodyalized patients: multicentric study

End-stage renal failure patients on hemodialysis are frequently affected by erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction in this patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: non randomized, non-controlled study of oral sildenafil (50 mg) administered two fold per week, one month as required in HD patients with ED was designed. Patients on HD for at least 6 month and who had a stable relationship with a female sexual partner were included. Patients with angina, severe anemia, or cirrhosis and those who were on nitrate treatment were not included. The International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (short form, IIEF-5) was employed to evaluate ED and treatment response. RESULTS: twenty-two patients were evaluated (age: 43,5 years, diabetis 36,4 percent, hypertensión 31,8 percent, time in hemodialysis 5,8 years. Sildenafil was associated with improvement in the score of all questions and domains of the IIEF-5. Improvement was observed in 81,5 percent of the patients. Sildenafil use resulted in normal EF scores in 13,6 percent of patients. Sildenafil was well tolerated. Headaches (30 percent), and flushing (27,5 percent), occurred. CONCLUSION, oral sildenafil seems to be an effective and safe treatment for ED in selected patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.