title: [Risk factors and prevalence of erectile dysfunction amongst Icelandic men aged 45-75].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many population studies worldwide have shown high prevalence of erect ile dysfunction, a condition that increases dramatically with age. Other risk factors are also well known such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis. The aim was to study the prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction among Icelandic men.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were 4000 men age 45-75 year old randomly chosen from the Icelandic National Registry. They received a 27 item questionnaire to access the degree of erectile dysfunction using the 5 question International Index of Erectile Function (IEEF), and also other aspects of sexual health, medication and concomitant diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 40.8%. The overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 35.5%. The condition was significantly more prevalent in the older age group (65-75) compared to the younger group (45-55), 21.6% vs 62.3% respectively. Other significant risk factors were smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, depression and anxiety disorder. Sexual activity and interest is high in all age groups. Physicians rarely take the initiative of asking men about sexual dysfunction. Only about 24% of males with erectile dysfunction have received some treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first population based study among Icelandic men shows a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction and is in accordance with similar studies in other counties. Significant risk factors are the same as are well known for cardiovascular diseases. Thus preventive measures should be the same for both conditions.
authors.affiliation: The Urological Department, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland. gug@landspitali.is
authors.forename: Guethmundur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geirsson
authors.forename: Gestur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thornorgeirsson
authors.forename: Ottar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guethmundsson
authors.forename: Guethmundur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Einarsson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires