Prevalence and determinants of erectile dysfunction in Santos, southeastern Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Recent population-based surveys suggest that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction is between 30% and 56% among men over the age of 40. Most of these studies, however, are from the United States or Europe. We need estimates of erectile dysfunction from samples of Brazilian populations, as societies that differ ethnically, culturally, and economically may also differ with respect to potential risk factors for erectile dysfunction.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its potential correlates.


METHODS
Santos, State of São Paulo.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A population-based sample of men aged 40-70 years. Out of 718 men invited, 342 (47.6%) returned a completed questionnaire.


METHODS
Data on demographic variables, medical history, lifestyle habits and degree of erectile dysfunction.


RESULTS
The prevalence of any degree of erectile dysfunction was 45.9% (minimal, 33.9%; moderate, 8.5%; complete, 3.5%) and increased with age. In bivariate age-adjusted analyses comparing men with no erectile dysfunction or minimal erectile dysfunction with those with moderate or complete erectile dysfunction, histories of diabetes or hypertension, depressive symptoms, heavy smoking and obesity were significantly associated with increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction, whereas moderate alcohol consumption was inversely associated with erectile dysfunction. In the multivariate model, age was a strong predictor of erectile dysfunction, while history of diabetes or hypertension and heavy smoking remained significantly associated with increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
We found higher prevalence of erectile dysfunction (45.9%) among men older than 40 years old in Brazil. The variables associated with erectile dysfunction may alert physicians to patients who are at risk of erectile dysfunction as well as offer clues to the etiology of erectile dysfunction. Physicians should routinely ask their patients about sexual health and erectile dysfunction.
Moreira
Edson Duarte
ED
Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. edson@pqgm.fiocruz.br
Bestane
Walter Jorge
WJ
Bartolo
Elaine Bestane
EB
Fittipaldi
João Antônio Saraiva
JA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index