The relationship between social support and erectile dysfunction in middle-aged and older males.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition that affects middle-aged and older men, impacting their sexual health and overall wellbeing. We aimed to investigate the relationship between social support and ED among this specific population. Methods: Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Social support was assessed through various dimensions, including emotional support, material support, and network support. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between social support and ED, and a propensity-score-matched (PSM) analysis was further conducted. Results: Among 1938 middle-aged and older males in the United States, 49.9% had a history of ED. ED was more prevalent in older individuals and those with comorbidities such as hypertension, prostate disease, higher serum creatinine level, and mental problems. Males with lower social support scores had a higher weighted rate of ED (P < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple variables in logistic regression analysis, a higher social support score was associated with a 19% lower likelihood of ED (weighted odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.98, P = 0.032). The association remained consistent after propensity score matching (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.98, P = 0.028). Conclusion: Social support appears to be associated with a reduced risk of ED in middle-aged and older men. Further research is needed to better understand this relationship and explore interventions that enhance social support, potentially leading to improved sexual health outcomes.

Erectile Dysfunction: Prevalence, and Pattern among Adult Male Patients Attending the General Out-Patient Clinic of Federal Medical Centre Bida, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is usually underestimated in many developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. INTRODUCTION: ED is associated with stigma and poor health seeking behaviour and is assumed not to be life-threatening. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ED and the pattern among adult males. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based survey among 360 sexually active men aged 18 years and above seen in the GOPC of Federal Medical Centre, Bida. Self-reported ED was obtained using a structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer. The prevalence and severity of ED was obtained using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 Questionnaire (IIEF-5). RESULTS: The age range of respondents was 22-75 years with a mean age of 42.06(11.35) years. The prevalence of ED was 56.4%, with 29.4% having mild ED, 24.2% had mild-moderate ED and 2.8% had moderate ED. The prevalence of ED was noted to increase with increasing age as ED was more prevalent (100%) among men aged 70-79 years and least common among the younger (20-29) subjects (30.9%). Most of the respondents 198 (54.9%) had sexual intercourse at least thrice a week, while only 158 (43.9%) of respondents were extremely satisfied with their sexual life. About 175 (48.6%) of the respondents had experienced embarrassment over sexual performance, while a greater proportion of the respondents 239 (66.4%) had used performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, only 20 (5.6%) of the respondents had ever complained of ED in the hospital. Traditional and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs were the commonest source of performance-enhancing drugs 106 (44.4%). CONCLUSION: Erectile dysfunction is a common medical and social problem in our environment. Physicians should routinely ask their patients about their sexual health and erectile dysfunction.

CONTEXTE: La dysfonction érectile (DE) est généralement sousestimée dans de nombreux pays en développement, le Nigeria inclus. INTRODUCTION: La DE est associée à la stigmatisation et à un comportement médiocre en matière de recherche de soins de santé et est supposée ne pas mettre la vie en danger. Cette étude a été entreprise pour déterminer la prévalence de la DE et son profil chez les hommes adultes. MÉTHODES: L'étude était une enquête transversale en milieu hospitalier auprès de 360 hommes sexuellement actifs âgés de 18 ans et plus, vus dans la GOPC du Centre médical fédéral de Bida. La DE auto-déclarée a été obtenue à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré administré par un enquêteur. La prévalence et la gravité de la DE ont été obtenues à l'aide du questionnaire International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). RÉSULTATS: La tranche d'âge des répondants était de 22 à 75 ans, avec un âge moyen de 42,06 (11,350) ans. La prévalence de la DE était de 56,4 %, avec 29,4 % présentant une DE légère, 24,2 % une DE légère à modérée et 2,8 % une DE modérée. La prévalence de la DE a été notée pour augmenter avec l'âge croissant, car la DE était plus fréquente (100 %) chez les hommes âgés de 70 à 79 ans et moins courante chez les sujets plus jeunes (20-29 ans) (30,9 %). La plupart des répondants, 198 (54,9 %), avaient des rapports sexuels au moins trois fois par semaine, tandis que seuls 158 (43,9 %) étaient extrêmement satisfaits de leur vie sexuelle. Environ 175 (48,6 %) avaient ressenti de l'embarras quant à leur performance sexuelle, et une proportion plus importante des répondants, 239 (66,4 %), avaient utilisé des médicaments améliorant les performances. Malgré cela, seulement 20 (5,6 %) s'étaient déjà plaints de la DE à l'hôpital. Les médicaments traditionnels et en vente libre étaient la source la plus courante de médicaments améliorant les performances, avec 106 (44,4 %). CONCLUSION: La dysfonction érectile est un problème médical et social courant dans notre environnement. Les médecins devraient régulièrement interroger leurs patients sur leur santé sexuelle et la dysfonction érectile. MOTS-CLÉS: Dysfonction érectile, Homme, Profil, Prévalence.

Investigation of postoperative erectile dysfunction in colorectal surgery patients and comparison of results.

BACKGROUND: Although surgical treatment is curative for colorectal cancers, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the complications that affect the patient quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate sexual dysfunction in patients who underwent anterior resection (AR) and low AR (LAR) surgery secondary to rectosigmoid pathologies in our clinic, to analyze the effective variables, and to compare the results. METHODS: In the retrospectively designed study, male patients who underwent surgery for malignancy or other surgical pathologies in the General Surgery Clinic between January 2017 and December 2022 were examined. Female gender, patients under 18 years of age, and patients who refused to participate in the study were excluded. RESULTS: The high age of the patient increased the risk of severe ED in the postoperative period. However, surgical technique, alcohol use, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and Clavien-Dindo class were not determinants in the presence of severe ED. CONCLUSION: ED is an emerging medical problem that affects patients who undergo colorectal surgery adversely both in social and psychological aspects. Discussions on the issue are still ongoing. Clinicians' concerns can be addressed in the future as the number of prospectively designed studies involving more homogeneous and larger populations increases.

Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet is associated with erectile dysfunction in young Taiwanese men.

Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is a protective or predisposing factor for many diseases; however, the relationship between CHHF and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate associations between CHHF and ED among young men of Southeast Asian origin. In this cross-sectional study, sexually active Taiwanese men aged 20-40 years were enrolled via an online questionnaire comprising general demographic information, comorbidities, subjective thermal sensations of their hands and feet in the past 6 months, and their erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Participants who reported cold sensation of hands and feet were classified to have CHHF; those with IIEF-5 score ≤ 21 were considered to have ED. Total 54.2% and 27.9% of participants had ED and CHHF, respectively. Men with CHHF were significantly younger, had lower body mass index and IIEF-5 scores (p < 0.001), and a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033) along with higher prevalence of ED, psychiatric disorders, and insomnia (p < 0.001). After adjusting for predisposing factors of ED, CHHF (odds ratio 1.410, 95% confidence interval 1.159-1.714; p = 0.001) remained an independent predictor of ED. Thus, CHHF is independently associated with ED, affecting more than a quarter of young Taiwanese men. Autonomic dysregulation and subclinical endothelial dysfunction may be common pathophysiologies of CHHF and ED.

Higher oxidative balance score was associated with decreased risk of erectile dysfunction: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition that is thought to be significantly impacted by oxidative stress. The oxidative balance score (OBS) has been built to characterize the state of antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance. There is less known regarding the relationship of OBS with ED. METHODS: This study conducted cross-sectional analyses on 1860 males who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004. OBS was constructed by the 16 dietary components and 4 lifestyle factors. Self-reported ED was defined as men who indicated that they "never" or "sometimes" could achieve or keeping an erection adequate for satisfactory intercourse. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to examine the association between OBS and the risk of ED. RESULTS: Among 1860 participants, the median OBS was 20 (IQR 15-26), and OBS was lower in males with ED vs. those without ED (P = 0.001). The results of our analyses indicated a negative correlation between OBS and ED among male subjects. Specifically, each one-unit increase in the continuous OBS was relate to 3% reduction in the odds of ED after full adjustment. Moreover, when extreme OBS quartiles were compared, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the 4th OBS category was 0.53 (0.32 to 0.88) after full adjustment (P for trend < 0.05). There was also statistical significance in the relationships between dietary/lifestyle OBS with ED, and the association between lifestyle OBS and ED may be even tighter. For each unit increase in lifestyle OBS, the odds of ED decreased by 11% after full adjustment. CONCLUSION: Higher OBS was associated with reduced risk of ED in U.S. males. These findings suggested that adopting an antioxidant-rich diet and engaging in antioxidant-promoting lifestyle behaviors may contribute to a lower incidence of ED. These results provided recommendations for a comprehensive dietary and lifestyle antioxidants for ED patients.

The relationship between oxidative balance score and erectile dysfunction in the U.S. male adult population.

Oxidative stress strongly influences the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED). In this study, we used the oxidative balance score (OBS), a composite index, to measure the effects of oxidative stress triggered by diet and lifestyle factors. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the statistical relationship between OBS and ED among adult males in the U.S. The data from 3318 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004 were analyzed. Weighted logistic regression was used to correct for confounding factors and acquire nationwide representative estimates. Generalized additive modeling was used to explore the nonlinear relationship. We also supplemented subgroup and sensitivity analysis to examine the robustness of the main results. Multivariate logistic regression indicated a consistent negative linear association between OBS and ED across all participants [OR (95% CI) = 0.96 (0.94, 0.98)]. After categorizing OBS into tertiles, participants in the highest tertile had 43% lower odds of having ED than those in the lowest tertile [OR (95% CI) = 0.57 (0.37, 0.87)]. The generalized additive model also visualized the linear trend of this association. Furthermore, this linear relationship remained relatively consistent, regardless of whether subgroup or sensitivity analyses were performed. Our findings suggest that adopting a lifestyle and diet pattern that promotes favorable OBS may effectively protect against the development of ED, regardless of the underlying causes.

Sexual Dysfunctions among Diabetic and Non-diabetic People Attending in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunctions including erectile dysfunction among men, a widespread sexual health issue, pose challenges to sexual satisfaction. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of sexual dysfunctions in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals aged 30-70. METHODS: A study at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, surveyed 350 participants (176 men, 174 women), aged 30-70, with 52.6% having diabetes. The structured interviews and validated questionnaires like IIEF-5 for men and FSFI-6 for women to assess the prevalence and factors associated with erectile dysfunction were used. Statistical tools were employed to measure the associations of different variables with Sexual dysfunctions. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 73.7% (95% CI: 72.4- 73.7) with higher rates in men 83.9% (95% CI: 83.1- 84.7) than women 63.6% (95% CI: 62.0 - 65.2). Individuals with diabetes experienced an 81.5% prevalence of sexual dysfunction (95% CI: 80.6-82.4), whereas non-diabetic individuals exhibited a 65.1% prevalence (95% CI: 63.5-66.7). In the diabetic male population, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 97.5% (95% CI: 97.4-97.6), while diabetic females had a prevalence of 68.9% (95% CI: 67.5-70.3). Among non-diabetic men, the percentage of erectile dysfunction was 72% (95% CI: 70.7-73.3), and among non-diabetic women, sexual dysfunction remained 56.2% (95% CI: 54.4-58.0). Among individuals with diabetes, those who used tobacco exhibited a sexual dysfunction prevalence of 93.8% (95% CI: 93.5-94.1), while non-tobacco users had a prevalence of 74.8% (95% CI: 73.6-76.0). In non-diabetic individuals, obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunctions, reaching 84.6% (95% CI: 83.8-84.6). High blood pressure showed a strong association with sexual dysfunctions in both diabetic (83% with 95% CI: 81.9-83.4) and non-diabetic (70% with 95% CI: 67.7-70.1) groups. Individuals with diabetes for more than five years had a higher rate of sexual dysfunction as 87.8% (95% CI: 86.6-89.0) with 100% in men and 79% in women. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions related to obesity and alcohol consumption between diabetics and non-diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: The research highlights a noteworthy association of sexual dysfunctions with individuals with diabetes, male sex, tobacco use, and hypertension. The observed high prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in both diabetic and non diabetic people is a public health concern, emphasizing the need for culturally tailored approaches to address the sexual health of the affected individuals.

Risk factors for erectile dysfunction in diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies have established that diabetes mellitus (DM) markedly raises the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED). Despite extensive investigations, the risk factors associated with ED in diabetic men have yet to be unequivocally determined, owing to incongruent and inconclusive results reported in various studies. Objective: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the risk factors for ED in men with DM. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted, encompassing studies published in the PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases up to August 24th, 2023. All studies examining the risk factors of ED in patients with DM were included in the analysis. To identify significant variations among the risk factors, odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale(NOS) for longitudinal studies and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Scale(AHRQ) for cross-sectional studies. Results: A total of 58 studies, including a substantial participant pool of 66,925 individuals diagnosed with DM, both with or without ED, were included in the meta-analysis. Mean age (OR: 1.31, 95% CI=1.24-1.37), smoking status (OR: 1.32, 95% CI=1.18-1.47), HbA1C (OR: 1.44, 95% CI=1.28-1.62), duration of DM (OR: 1.39, 95% CI=1.29-1.50), diabetic neuropathy (OR: 3.47, 95% CI=2.16-5.56), diabetic retinopathy (OR: 3.01, 95% CI=2.02-4.48), diabetic foot (OR: 3.96, 95% CI=2.87-5.47), cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.92, 95% CI=1.71-2.16), hypertension (OR: 1.74, 95% CI=1.52-2.00), microvascular disease (OR: 2.14, 95% CI=1.61-2.85), vascular disease (OR: 2.75, 95% CI=2.35-3.21), nephropathy (OR: 2.67, 95% CI=2.06-3.46), depression (OR: 1.82, 95% CI=1.04-3.20), metabolic syndrome (OR: 2.22, 95% CI=1.98-2.49), and diuretic treatment (OR: 2.42, 95% CI=1.38-4.22) were associated with increased risk factors of ED in men with DM. Conclusion: Our study indicates that in men with DM, several risk factors for ED have been identified, including mean age, HbA1C, duration of DM, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, microvascular disease, vascular disease, nephropathy, depression, metabolic syndrome, and diuretic treatment. By clarifying the connection between these risk factors and ED, clinicians and scientific experts can intervene and address these risk factors, ultimately reducing the occurrence of ED and improving patient management.

Association between leucocyte telomere length and erectile dysfunction in US adults: a secondary study based on 2001-2002 NHANES data.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the association between the leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and erectile dysfunction (ED) among a nationally representative sample of US adults. DESIGN: Secondary population-based study. SETTING: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2001-2002). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1694 male participants were extracted from the NHANES database for 2001-2002. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary focus of the study was to determine the association between the LTL and ED, using multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models for examination. The secondary outcome measures involved conducting stratified subgroup analyses to exclude interactions of different variables with the LTL. RESULTS: Participants with ED had shorter LTLs than those without ED (p<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the reference lowest LTL quartile, the ORs and 95% CIs for the second, third and fourth LTL quartiles were (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.26), (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.58) and (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.74 to 2.11), respectively. In addition, restricted cubic splines showed an inverted J-curve relationship between the LTL and ED. At an LTL of 1.037, the curve showed an inflection point. The ORs (95% CI) of ED on the left and right sides of the inflection point were (OR 1.99; 95% CI 0.39 to 10.20; p=0.385) and (OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.90; p=0.039). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated an inverted J-curve relationship between the LTL and ED. When the LTL was ≥1.037, the incidence of ED decreased with increasing LTL.

Male sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

Sexual dysfunction is common in males with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but yet the prevalence and specific relationship between CKD and sexual dysfunction, especially premature ejaculation (PE), remain to be investigated in China; This study aims to examine the prevalence and association between CKD and sexual dysfunction in male patients in China; In this cross-sectional, non-interventional, observational study conducted at a single center. 72 male patients with CKD were enrolled. Data collection included socio-demographic information, assessments via the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the Chinese version of the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, the Patient Health Quentionnnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7. Data analysis was performed using R version 3.5.2 and SPSS software version 25.0; Among the 72 CKD patients, 56.9% experienced erectile dysfunction and 29.2% had PE. Various factors including estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio, psychological aspects, medication use were found to be associated with sexual dysfunction in these CKD patients; Sexual dysfunction is prevalent in males with CKD and is, influenced by multiple factors. It is important for clinicians to focus on sexual dysfunction in this patient group and further investigate its underlying mechanisms.

High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men with hyperthyroidism: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between hyperthyroidism and the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: A comprehensive search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating the relationship between hyperthyroidism and ED in men. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Quality Rating Scale, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of four papers encompassing 25,519 study subjects were included in the analysis. Among these, 6,429 individuals had hyperthyroidism, while 19,090 served as controls. The overall prevalence of ED in patients with hyperthyroidism was determined to be 31.1% (95% CI 0.06-0.56). In patients with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism, the incidence of ED was 21.9% (95% CI 0.05-0.38). The combined odds ratio (OR) for the four studies was 1.73 (OR: 1.73; 95% CI [1.46-2.04]; p < .00001). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate a higher incidence of ED in patients with hyperthyroidism. These results provide valuable information for healthcare professionals and can facilitate discussions surrounding appropriate treatment options for ED in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in rural vs urban settings among patients with erectile dysfunction: a propensity-weighted retrospective cohort study of 430 621 men.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular (CV) events has been postulated, with ED being characterized as a potential harbinger of CV disease. Location of residence is another important consideration, as the impact of rural residence has been associated with worse health outcomes. AIM: To investigate whether men from rural settings with ED are associated with a higher risk of major adverse CV events (MACEs). METHODS: A propensity-weighted retrospective cohort study was conducted with provincial health administrative databases. ED was defined as having at least 2 ED prescriptions filled within 1 year. MACE was defined as the first hospitalization for an episode of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke that resulted in a hospital visit >24 hours. We classified study groups into ED urban, ED rural, no ED urban, and no ED rural. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the propensity score. Stabilized inverse propensity treatment weighting was then applied to the propensity score. OUTCOMES: A Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine our primary outcome of time to a MACE. RESULTS: The median time to a MACE was 2731, 2635, 2441, and 2508 days for ED urban (n = 32 341), ED rural (n = 18 025), no ED rural (n = 146 358), and no ED urban (n = 233 897), respectively. The cohort with ED had a higher proportion of a MACE at 8.94% (n = 4503), as opposed to 4.58% (n = 17 416) for the group without ED. As compared with no ED urban, no ED rural was associated with higher risks of a MACE in stabilized time-varying comodels based on inverse probability treatment weighting (hazard ratio, 1.06-1.08). ED rural was associated with significantly higher risks of a MACE vs no ED rural, with the strength of the effect estimates increasing over time (hazard ratio, 1.10-1.74). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Findings highlight the need for physicians treating patients with ED to address CV risk factors for primary and secondary prevention of CV diseases. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the most extensive retrospective study demonstrating that ED is an independent risk factor for MACE. Due to limitations in data, we were unable to assess certain comorbidities, including obesity and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that ED is an independent risk factor for MACE. Rural men had a higher risk of MACE, with an even higher risk among those who reside rurally and are diagnosed with ED.

Associations between organic erectile dysfunction and the risk of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in men.

BACKGROUND: Whether erectile dysfunction (ED) leads to considerable stress for affected men remains unclear? In this study, we investigated whether organic ED (OED) is associated with increased risks of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: A representative subset of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was employed for this study. Enrollees with OED from the years 2000 to 2018 were selected. To ensure comparability between the case and control groups, we implemented 1:1 propensity score matching based on age, index year, comorbidities, and medications. RESULTS: The case group included 20,808 patients with OED, while the control group consisted of 20,808 individuals without OED. The OED group exhibited a significantly elevated risk of HZ (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.74) and PHN (aHR = 1.56) compared to the non-OED group. CONCLUSIONS: Men experiencing OED seem to face elevated risks of HZ and PHN compared to those without OED. ED may serve as a warning sign for individuals at HZ risk.

Evaluation of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Males and Urinary Incontinence in Females in Primary Health Care in Greece.

Background and Objectives: The significant prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED), and associated adverse effects calls for increased attention in primary care settings. In Greece, there is a lack of sufficient data for LUTS and ED screening in primary care. Therefore, the aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of LUTS and ED, identify associated risk factors, and evaluate their impact on quality of life among adult primary healthcare users aged 40 years and older in Crete, Greece. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the prevalence of LUTS and ED in 1746 primary health care users visiting rural primary health care practices in Crete, Greece. Participants underwent a comprehensive evaluation including demographic parameters, screening for LUTS utilizing the validated International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire and for ED using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), in males, and for urinary incontinence in women with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Participants with a prior diagnosis of LUTS or ED were excluded (n = 183). Results: Out of 536 participants finally included (n = 1746 screened), 32% of males and 36% of females exhibited moderate to severe LUTS. Following adjustments, we identified advanced age, retirement, and the presence of diabetes type 2 as factors associated with the occurrence of LUTS in men. Patients with LUTS also had a substantially increased likelihood of experiencing ED. Moreover, it was observed that women with hypertension or diabetes type 2 and lower education levels face an increased likelihood of developing LUTS, which adversely affects their quality of life. Conclusions: In conclusion, the findings of this study reveal a high occurrence of LUTS and ED in adults aged 40 years and older who utilize primary healthcare services, with a negative impact on their quality of life.

Overactive bladder negatively affects erectile function and promotes premature ejaculation: findings from large representative population-level study.

PURPOSE: The effect of overactive bladder (OAB) on sexual health has been evaluated extensively for women but much less for men. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between OAB and men's sexual activity and the effect of OAB on erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) in a large representative cohort of men at the population level. METHODS: This study was based on computer-assisted web interviews that used validated questionnaires. The most recent census and the sample size estimation calculations were employed to produce a population-representative pool. RESULTS: The study included 3001 men, representative of the population in terms of age and place of residence. The frequency of sexual intercourse was higher for respondents without OAB symptoms compared with persons who had OAB (p = 0.001), but there was no association between OAB symptoms and number of sexual partners (p = 0.754). Regression models did not confirm the effect of OAB on sexual activity (odds ratio 0.993, CI 0.974-1.013, p = 0.511). Both ED and PE were more prevalent in respondents with OAB symptoms compared with persons who lacked those symptoms (p < 0.001). Importantly, the effect of OAB on ED or PE was independent of age, comorbidities, and lifestyle habits (regression coefficients of 0.13 and 0.158 for ED and PE, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overactive bladder did not significantly affect men's sexual activity, but it significantly correlated with ED and PE. Our results suggest a need in daily clinical practice to screen for OAB symptoms for persons who report ED or PE.

The effect of three years of vitamin D supplementation on erectile dysfunction: Results from the randomized placebo-controlled D-Health Trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Erectile dysfunction is common among older men and has been associated with low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration. However, this association may be due to uncontrolled confounding, and there is a paucity of evidence from interventional studies. We aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction, in an exploratory analysis using data from a large randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The D-Health Trial recruited Australians aged 60-84 years between January 2014 and May 2015 and randomly assigned them to supplementation with 60,000 IU of vitamin D or placebo per month for up to 5 years. Blood samples were collected annually from randomly selected participants (total N = 3943). We assessed erectile dysfunction at the end of the third year of follow-up. We used log-binomial regression to examine the effect of vitamin D on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction overall, and within sub-groups. RESULTS: Of the 11,530 men enrolled, 8920 (77.4 %) completed the erectile dysfunction question and were included in the analysis. After three years of supplementation, the mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration was 76 nmol/L (standard deviation (SD) 24.94) in the placebo group and 106 nmol/L (SD 26.76) in the vitamin D group (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 58.8 % and 59.0 % in the vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively (prevalence ratio 1.00, 95 % CI 0.97, 1.03); there was no evidence of an effect of vitamin D in any subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Supplementing older men with vitamin D is unlikely to prevent or improve erectile dysfunction. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: (ACTRN12613000743763).

Major adverse cardiovascular events related to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors: analysis of real-life data from Eudra-Vigilance database.

BACKGROUND: Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) are the standard medical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) reported during PDE5i treatment based on Eudra-Vigilance (EV) reports. METHODS: EV database is the system for managing and analyzing data on suspected adverse reactions to medicines which have been authorized or being studied in clinical trials in the European Economic Area. MACE are defined as non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal congestive heart failure, revascularization after aorto-coronary graft bypass and cardiovascular death. We recorded the number of MACE for sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil per category and severity until 1st July 2023. Pooled Relative Risk (PRR) was used to compare data between drugs. RESULTS: Overall, 951 MACE events were reported. Most of them were observed in younger patients <65 years old (452/951 events, 48%). Overall, 377/8939 (4%) MACE events were observed for sildenafil, 221/5213 (4%) for tadalafil, 50/1029 (4%) for vardenafil and no events for avanafil. No significative differences were reported comparing sildenafil and tadalafil (PRR 0.71-0.99, IQR 0.61-1.35, P>0.05), neither sildenafil vs. vardenafil (PRR 0.68-0.79, IQR 0.43-1.55, P>0.05), neither tadalafil vs. vardenafil (PRR 0.77-0.95, IQR 0.64-1.30. P>0.05) even when compared for age. Comparison between different classes of age showed MACE were more frequent in patients younger than 65 years old taking sildenafil and tadalafil when compared to patients older than 85 years old (PRR 0.02-0.11. IQR 0.01-0.40. P<0.01) and when compared to patients in 65-85 class of age (PRR 0.02-0.12, IQR 0.01-0.95, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Real life data is consistent with MACE related to PDE5i. PDE5is are infrequently (<5%) associated with MACE. However, risk seems higher in younger patients, particularly for sildenafil (452/951 events, 48%). Clinicians should consider these data when prescribing PDE5i especially in young patients.

Iron homeostasis alterations and erectile dysfunction: A new issue in erectile disfunction treatment?

To the Editor, Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting men globally, with significant psychological and social consequences. The prevalence varies across different populations, and it is estimated around 50% in men aged between 40 to 70. The etiology of ED is multifactorial, involving a complex crosstalk between psychological, hormonal, neurogenic, vascular, and structural factors [...].

Erectile dysfunction prevalence in the United States: report from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: There has been a great deal of public speculation regarding a surge in erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men despite data consistently indicating that the ED prevalence rates increase with age. AIM: In this study we sought to assess the prevalence and risk of experiencing ED in a nationally representative sample of men in the United States across various social groups, describe comorbidities, and examine barriers to treatment. METHODS: Data from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing were analyzed by utilizing the Ipsos KnowledgePanel®, a probability-based online panel, for the purpose of obtaining US nationally representative data of adults aged 18 years and older. The analytic sample consisted of 1822 cisgender men ranging in age from 18 to 87 years, with a mean age of 47.5 years. OUTCOMES: Study outcomes were ED as measured by the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), as well as self-reported diagnosis by a medical professional, comorbidities with other health issues, medications taken for ED, and barriers to treatment. RESULTS: The ED prevalence rate based on IIEF-5 scores was 24.2%. Prevalence increased with age: 52.2% of the 75+ age group, and 48.0% of the 65-74 age group meeting diagnostic criteria for ED. Diagnostic criteria were met for more participants in the 18-24 age group (17.9%) than the 25-34 (13.3%) or 35-44 (12.7%) age groups, but less than the 45-54 (25.3%) or 55-64 (33.9%) age groups. Only 7.7% (n = 141) of the sample reported having been diagnosed by a provider (n = 4 in 25-34, n = 6 in 35-44, n = 13 in 45-54, n = 39 in 55-64, n = 44 in 65-74, and n = 34 in ≥75-year olds), indicating a gap in access to treatment. The most common reason selected for not accessing care for ED concerns was a lack of need to see a provider in the past year. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The discrepancy between ED self-report and medical diagnosis is critical, given that ED can be an indication of underlying health risks. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is the first nationally representative update to information regarding the prevalence of ED in almost 2 decades. Standard administration of the IIEF-5 is limited to participants who have had sex in the last 6 months, so these rates do not include those men with ED who have been avoiding penetrative sex for a significant time. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that ED prevalence and severity remain highest in older age groups and that most individuals who meet criteria for ED have not sought medical care related to this concern.

Factors associated with sexual dysfunction in patients with colorectal cancer in Iran: a cross-sectional study.

Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent issue among individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), significantly impacting their quality of life. However, limited research has explored the factors associated with sexual dysfunction in CRC patients in Iran. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the demographic factors that may contribute to sexual dysfunction in this population. A cross-sectional study involving CRC patients was conducted from April 1, 2022, to May 1, 2022, in Tabriz, Iran. Ethical approvals were obtained, and convenience sampling was employed at outpatient chemotherapy centers in five Tabriz hospitals. Validated questionnaires, including participants characteristics form, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for females and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for males, were utilized. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24, employing descriptive statistics and stepwise linear regression to assess association between mentioned factors and sexual function. Among 256 participants, 50.4% were males, 49.6% were females, and 80.5% were married. The predominant age range was 50-60 years. The study findings revealed a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among both female (Mean ± SD: 10.91 ± 8.67, Min-Max: 3.20-33.00) and male (Mean ± SD: 27.64 ± 16.28, Min-Max: 11-62) CRC patients. Factors such as the presence of a colostomy for FSFI (P < 0.001), type of treatment received for both FSFI and IIEF (P < 0.001), type of housing for both FSFI and IIEF (P < 0.001), occupation for FSFI (P < 0.001), presence of other diseases for FSFI (P = 0.047), and time since the last chemotherapy session for FSFI (P = 0.018), Education for IIEF (P = 0.026), and Age for IIEF (P = 0.002) were identified as significant factors of sexual dysfunction. These demographic factors demonstrated varying effects on sexual function, underscoring the complexity of this issue. The results underscore the significance of addressing sexual health concerns in CRC patients and highlight the necessity for tailored interventions to enhance their overall well-being. Healthcare providers should recognize the influence of demographic factors on sexual function and contemplate integrating sexual health assessments and interventions into the care of CRC patients. Further research is needed to comprehend better the underlying mechanisms and devise effective strategies for managing sexual dysfunction in this population.