Strippoli and co-authors hope their research will address an unmet need in the CKD population and prompt further investigation into the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction in patients with CKD. "We have chosen a patient-focused research agenda. Patients want research and subsequent solutions to help them cope with the quality-of-life problems accompanying kidney disease, including sexual dysfunction," says Strippoli. "Money and research efforts are needed to identify optimal treatments for sexual dysfunction in people with CKD."

The authors note that the few previous studies identified by their review were small, of short duration, and had other important limitations. Most of the studies evaluated drug treatments while other options were not investigated.

SOURCE American Society of Nephrology (ASN)