Impact of Dialysis on Sexuality. (SEXODIA)

Sexuality is an essential dimension of quality of life and is frequently impaired in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Sexual dysfunctions-including erectile dysfunction, reduced sexual desire, and difficulties with arousal or orgasm-are highly prevalent in this population. These disorders have multifactorial origins, involving hormonal disturbances, comorbidities, treatment-related side effects, chronic fatigue, and the psychological and relational impact of long-term illness.

Despite their frequency, sexual health issues are rarely addressed in routine dialysis care. This is largely due to time constraints during consultations, insufficient training of healthcare professionals, and persistent social and cultural taboos. In addition, the existing scientific literature remains limited, often outdated, and predominantly focused on male patients. Data concerning women, sexual diversity, body image, and couple-related aspects are scarce. Standard kidney disease-specific quality-of-life instruments, such as the KDQOL questionnaire, provide only a minimal assessment of sexuality, with a single item related to sexual desire.

The aim of this study is to provide a contemporary and comprehensive assessment of the impact of dialysis on sexual quality of life. By documenting sexual function and sexual complaints in patients undergoing dialysis, this study seeks to improve understanding of patients' experiences and to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Ultimately, the findings are intended to support better integration of sexual health into routine nephrology care and to contribute to improved clinical practices in the field of sexual health.

This study is designed as a cross-sectional survey conducted among patients undergoing dialysis at the Groupe Hospitalier Privé Ambroise Paré-Hartmann in the Paris area. Eligible patients are informed about the study during a dialysis session by a healthcare professional (dialysis nurse, nephrologist, or physiotherapist specialized in sexology). Participants complete a self-administered questionnaire during their dialysis session, including the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) for men and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for women. Additional questions addressing medical history and body image perception are included. The estimated completion time for the questionnaire is approximately 20 minutes.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Chronic Kidney Disease Requiring Chronic Dialysis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire on sexuality

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Nicolas Benichou, MD; Phone Number: +33 0146415079; Email: nicolas.benichou@clinique-a-pare.fr

Study Locations

• France
  • Île-de-France Region
    • Neuilly-sur-Seine, Île-de-France Region, France, 92200
      • Recruiting
      • Ambroise Paré - Hartmann Private Hospital Group
      • Contact: Nicolas Benichou, MD; Phone Number: +33 0146415079; Email: nicolas.benichou@clinique-a-pare.fr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults treated with chronic dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient > 18 years,
• Treated with chronic dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) for at least 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major cognitive or psychiatric disorders that make understanding or completing the questionnaire difficult.
• General health condition not allowing participation without significant discomfort or excessive fatigue.
• Opposition by the patient.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Adults treated with chronic dialysis	Other: Questionnaire on sexuality; The patients will receive the following questionnaires to complete during the dialysis session: MSHQ (Male Sexual Health Questionnaire) for men; FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) for women Additional questions addressing medical history and body image perception are included.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sexual quality of life	The MSHQ questionnaire for men consists of 25 questions, minimum score: 25, maximum score: 125. A higher score on this scale indicates better sexual function.	At baseline, during a dialysis session
Sexual quality of life	The FSFI questionnaire for women consists of 19 questions, minimum score: 2, maximum score: 36. A higher score on this scale indicates better sexual function.	At baseline, during a dialysis session

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body perception	Questionnaire adapted from the Body Image Scale consisting of 4 questions, minimum score: 0, maximum score: 12. A higher score indicates a poorer body image.	At baseline, during a dialysis session

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: CMC Ambroise Paré

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 19, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 31, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): January 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Hemodialysis; Peritoneal dialysis; Sexuality
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025/04; 2025-A02271-48 (Registry Identifier: ID-RCB)