A survey of obesity and erectile dysfunction of men conscripted into the military in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is receiving growing research attention. However, investigations concerning the potential impact of obesity and testosterone on erectile dysfunction (ED) in young men have not been completely clarified.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the relationship between ED, serum testosterone level, and obesity in draftees in Taiwan.


METHODS
Data were obtained from a baseline survey of 364 young adult military conscripts (19-24 years old). Their demographic data, body mass index (BMI), serum testosterone, and ED status were assessed. Sixty-four subjects had ED, and 300 comprised the normal control group.


METHODS
The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), Sexual Desire Inventory, and Sexual Behavior Scale were used to assess ED, sexual desire, and sexual function.


RESULTS
Three hundred sixty-four men were available for analysis. The mean age of the sample was 21.66 ± 0.92 years (19-24 years). The IIEF total score had a mean of 21.99 ± 2.34 and median of 23; 64 (17.6%) subjects had ED, although mild. The results showed an increased risk of ED among obese men and subjects with lower serum testosterone. Among the predictors of ED, obesity (odds ratio =83.97, 95% CI = 16.17-436.03, degrees of freedom [d.f.] = 1, P < 0.001) and lower serum testosterone (odds ratio = 679.84, 95% CI = 108.48-4,260.58, d.f. = 1, P < 0.001) were significantly independent factors. Testosterone levels were lower in subjects with obesity (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the idea that BMI and serum testosterone may provide warning signs of ED and, at the same time, an opportunity for early intervention in young men.
Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Veterans Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan Graduate School of Human Sexuality, Shu-Te University, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.
Jian-Kang
JK
Chao
Thomas I-Sheng
TI
Hwang
Mi-Chia
MC
Ma
Wu-Hsien
WH
Kuo
Jiang-Hwa
JH
Liu
Yu-Ping
YP
Chen
Yen-Chin
YC
Lin
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004522:Educational Status; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D013739:Testosterone