Prevalence and associated risk factors of male erectile dysfunction among patients on hemodialysis and kidney transplant recipients: a cross-sectional survey from Sudan.

Male erectile dysfunction (ED) is an important issue worldwide occurring in 5-69% of men in community-based studies. It is more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those on peritoneal as well as hemodialysis (HD), occurring in more than 80% of patients. In Sudan, there is no previous report on ED among patients with CKD. A cross-sectional study was done to determine the prevalence of ED and its associated risk factors among Sudanese CKD patients on HD and those who underwent renal transplant. This was conducted in Khartoum, Sudan from October 2005 to July 2006 including all married men who were on maintenance HD for more than three months and all married men who had received renal transplantation at least three months earlier. Single, divorced/separated men, those whose wives were living away, those who were bed-bound and those with cognitive impairment were also excluded. After obtaining consent for participation, demographic and clinical data were collected by using anonymous questionnaires and the Arabic version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF; the Egyptian version). Patients who did not participate in full and proper manner were considered as "non-responders." A total of 146 patients, 106 HD patients, and 40 renal transplant recipients completed the IIEF questionnaire. Non-responders constituted 43.7% and 54.5% of HD and transplant recipient patients, respectively. Blood samples were taken after completion of the IIEF questionnaire to determine the required investigations. ED prevalence was high among our study patients, 83% among the HD patients and 67.5% among the renal transplant recipients. Univariate analysis showed that there was a trend, although non-significant, of older age being associated with ED in both groups. Similar association was seen in those who were under-dialyzed in the HD group and DM in the transplant recipient group. Previous history of ED was significantly associated with current presence of ED in both groups. More studies with larger sample size are needed to clarify the results of this study.

Hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients in Sudan: two centers' report.

Prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the hemodialysis population in Sudan is estimated to be around 34%. We undertook a cross sectional study in two major HD centers in Khartoum, Sudan for the prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the hemodialysis patients, during January to March 2005. Testing for HCV antibodies was performed using 3rd generation enzyme linked immunoadsorption assay (ELISA). A total of 236 patients were included in the study: 218 adults and 18 children. The mean age was 43.6 +/- 15.6 years, and the majority was males: 71.6%. The cause of renal failure was unknown in 168 patients (71.2%). The mean HD duration was 36.6 +/- 35.1 months. Prevalence of HCV seropositivity was 23.7%. Among 170 patients who were previously HCV seronegative, 30 (17.1%) seroconverted to positive in one year (estimated incidence: 63 new cases per year). HCV seropositivity was associated with longer duration of dialysis (p < 0.00001), previous surgery (p= 0.026), age of over 30 and years (p = 0.008), and dialysis in multiple centers (p= 0.005). We conclude that although HCV seropositivity in our study was lower than previously reported, it was still high among HD patients in Sudan. Nosocomial transmission of HCV among hemodialysis patients is a contributing factor.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in endoscopic biopsies in Sudan.

We studied the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Sudanese subjects with gastroduodenal inflammation. H. pylori was looked for in biopsy specimens taken from the antrum by two methods: rapid urease test [Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test] and culture using Skirrow's selective supplement. One hundred subjects were studied. H. pylori was found in 80% of patients with gastritis, 56% of patients with duodenal ulcer, 60% of patients with duodenitis and 16% of normal control subjects. It was neither detected in patients with gastric ulcer, nor in patients with oesophagitis or in those with oesophageal varices due to schistosomiasis, when using culture. However, it was found in 50% of patients with oesophagitis, when using CLO test.