Depression and anxiety among patients with erectile dysfunction

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to elucidate the relationships between erectile dysfunction [ED] and depression or anxiety. Subjects were 280 men from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain [140 from each country] aged 40-65 years. ED was assessed by the international index of Erectile Function 5 [IIEF-5] score [Arabic version], and depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale [HADS]. In this study ED cases were defined as those whose IIEF-5 value was less than 12, and a score of 8 or higher was used to classify a subject as suffering from depression or anxiety, respectively, the prevalence odds ratio [OR] of ED was calculated with confidence interval [CL] estimated by the Woolfis method by 5 age groups [40-45, 45-50.50-55, 55-60, 60-65 years]. To control for age, body mass index, smoking and substance abuse factors, we conducted the multivariate logistic regression analysis for calculating adjusted ORs and 95% CLs. ED was significantly associated with depression in age groups 45-50 and 55-60 years. ED was significantly associated with anxiety in the 50-60 year-old age group. The concomitant depression and anxiety group [A+D+] had significantly higher prevalence of ED than the control group [A-D-] in both the 45-49 and 50-60 age groups. [P < 0.01]. ED is commonly associated with depression and anxiety only in late 40s to 50s [45-60 years]. Furthermore, comorbidities of depression and anxiety strengthen this association. Our results might be useful in further understanding of ED aetiology and determining a target population for prevention in ED subjects: