Smoking and other lifestyle factors in relation to erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and various lifestyle and medical factors, including smoking and cardiovascular disease (CVD) medications, among men attending urology clinics in Kingston, Canada.


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study of men aged 50-80 years in Kingston, Ontario who agreed to participate at visits to urology clinics during 1997-99. We compared 101 men with clinically diagnosed ED and 234 controls with various benign urological conditions. All men completed a questionnaire on lifestyle and medical factors.


RESULTS
Men with ED were twice as likely to be former smokers (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.9), and cumulative smoking in pack-years suggests a dose-response pattern with the risk of ED. Having diabetes was associated with double the risk of ED, and increased alcohol intake appeared to increase the risk.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a greater risk of ED among former smokers, and the suggestion of a dose-response relationship with cumulative smoking.
Polsky
Jane Y
JY
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Aronson
Kristan J
KJ
Heaton
Jeremy P W
JP
Adams
Michael A
MA
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*