An observational study in Chronic Kidney Disease Requiring Chronic Dialysis, sponsored by CMC Ambroise Paré. Recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-04.
Sponsored by CMC Ambroise Paré · Observational
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 In addition, the existing scientific literature remains limited, often outdated, and predominantly focused on male patients.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.
130 studies on the registry are indexed under Sexuality; 26 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 100 is close to the median of 100 across 47 observational studies indexed under Sexuality.
Browse Sexuality studies →CMC Ambroise Paré is the lead sponsor of 47 studies on the registry; 8 are open to participants now.
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Adults treated with chronic dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).
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Exclusion Criteria:
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.
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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: At baseline, during a dialysis session
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.
Time frame: At baseline, during a dialysis session
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
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CMC Ambroise Paré