Male erectile dysfunction and health-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work was to assess the health-related quality of life factors associated with erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
2476 non-institutionalised Spanish males, age ranging from 25 to 70 years, were interviewed. ED was defined using two instruments: a simple self-assessment question (ED-sq) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured through the SF-36 questionnaire.


RESULTS
The severity of ED (measured both through the ED-sq and with the IIEF) increased as the scores of the scales of the SF-36 decreased (Mantel-Hänszel chi(2)-test statistic range: [26-305]; p<0.001). The two summary components (physical and mental) showed a downward trend, more for the physical than for the mental component.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a clear pattern of negative association between self-perceived erectile dysfunction and HRQoL. This association was clearer when ED-sq (rather than IIEF) was used, and stronger for the physical summary component than for the mental one.
Sánchez-Cruz
J J
JJ
Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain.
Cabrera-León
A
A
Martín-Morales
A
A
Fernández
A
A
Burgos
R
R
Rejas
J
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D004644:Emotions; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D012380:Role; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology