title: Prevalence of erectile dysfunction among young adults: results of a large-scale survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be an early and first sign of an underlying systemic disease. A screening program is offered by the Medical services of the Israel Defense Force for career servicemen at the Staff Periodic Examination Center (SPEC) aimed at early detection of morbidity. The Sexual Human Inventory for Males (SHIM) questionnaire was introduced to these men in order to identify ED, to offer men with ED suitable treatment options, and to investigate underlying systemic diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of ED among a large-scale young adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects aged 25-50 years are undergoing a routine check-up at SPEC. Blood samples, physiological measures, demographic variables, information on health status and smoking habits are recorded and documented. The SHIM self-administrated questionnaire was used to characterize ED.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 2001-2003, 11,914 males reported to SPEC (average age 34.8 +/- 7.1 years). Five thousand eight hundred thirty-six of them chose to answer the SHIM questionnaire (compliance of 48.9%). According to the SHIM scores, at least one out of three men (26.9%) suffered from ED (19%, 7%, and 1% had mild, moderate, and severe ED, respectively). ED was prevalent also among young adults: 22.1% of males under-40 had low SHIM scores (<21). Severity of ED correlated with age and diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In light of these results, we conclude that ED is a major health concern among young men as well. Incorporating questions regarding sexual health in a routine check-up may encourage more men to seek treatment, not only for ED, but also for underlying diseases.
authors.affiliation: Sexual Rehabilitation Clinic, Reuth Medical Center, Tel Aviv and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. Heruti@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heruti
authors.forename: Tzipi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shochat
authors.forename: Dorit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tekes-Manova
authors.forename: Itshak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ashkenazi
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Justo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome