Search

Sexual dysfunction is a common yet underreported problem among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This article will review sexual dysfunction in both genders, pregnancy outcomes, and best practices for successful full-term pregnancy in patients with CKD, including those with dialysis dependence and kidney transplants.

Obesity is a major epidemic in the general population and has added unique challenges to renal replacement therapy as choice of access, dialysis adequacy, and preparation for kidney transplantation may all be affected. There are few clinical studies on managing obese patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and no accepted strategies for the variety of problems encountered in this population. Attempts at weight loss are generally advisable to prevent obesity-related surgical complications and improve patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation. This article reviews the unique aspects of managing obese patients with ESRD.

Obesity is a major epidemic in the general population and has added unique challenges to renal replacement therapy as choice of access, dialysis adequacy, and preparation for kidney transplantation may all be affected. There are few clinical studies on managing obese patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and no accepted strategies for the variety of problems encountered in this population. Attempts at weight loss are generally advisable to prevent obesity-related surgical complications and improve patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation. This article reviews the unique aspects of managing obese patients with ESRD.

Hormone replacement is an integral part of therapies to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and may be considered a component in the treatment of dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cognitive function. The indications for, and efficacy and prescription of, hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women with ESRD have been infrequently studied and less than 10% of postmenopausal women on dialysis are receiving hormone replacement. Small studies suggest that hormone replacement therapy is valuable in treating the dyslipidemia of women on dialysis, but indicate that a reduction in the dosage of hormone replacement may be needed. A potential role for hormone replacement therapy in the treatment and/or prevention of osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women on dialysis exists as well.