Prevalence of erectile dysfunction among treated hypertensive males.
OBJECTIVE
Study the prevalence rate of erectile dysfunction (ED) in treated hypertensive males.


METHODS
Four hundred and twenty nine patients attending the outpatient clinic at Siriraj Hospital between April 2001 and October 2002 were interviewed. The International Index of Erectile Function, a 5-item version (IIEF-5) questionnaire was used. All questions were carried out by a well-trained interviewer.


RESULTS
Of the 429 patients (mean age of 57.5 +/- 12.0 years) interviewed, 241 cases (56.2%) reported ED. The prevalence was found to increase with age: from 0% in men aged < 40 years, 47.4% in men aged 40-59 years, and 75.3% in men aged > 60 years. Risk of ED was significantly (p < 0. 01) associated with the elderly (OR = 4.7, 95%CI= 3.1-7.1), patients who suffered from hypertension longer than 5 years (OR = 4.0, 95%CI = 2.6-6.1), those with a history of back/pelvic surgery (OR = 2.8, 95%CI = 1.4-4.8), smoking (OR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.0-2.2), alcohol ingestion (OR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.3-3.0), diabetes mellitus (OR = 6.3, 95%CI = 3.5-11.2), diuretics (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.3-2.8), and alpha-2 agonist (OR = 7.9, 95%CI = 2.3-26.1) usage. On multivariate regression analyses, the elderly (OR = 4.0, 95%CI = 2.5-6.4), diabetes mellitus (OR = 6.4, 95%CI = 3.5-11.8), the usage of diuretic (OR = 2.1, 95%CI = 1.3-3.4), and alpha-2 agonist (OR = 6.0, 95%CI = 1.7-21.3) predicted ED (p < 0.005 in all categories). Neither history of back/pelvic operation, smoking, alcohol ingestion, overweight (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2), or any other antihypertensive medications independently predicted ED.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that ED in male hypertensive patients is common and the cause should be sought and avoided. Diabetic patients or those who have been using diuretic or alpha-2 agonists should receive much attention and be routinely evaluated for ED.
Buranakitjaroen
Peera
P
Division of Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sipbn@mahidol.ac.th
Phoojaroenchanachai
Meta
M
Saravich
Surachai
S
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000328:Adult; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D004232:Diuretics; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D004232:Diuretics