title: Quality of life in patients with erectile dysfunction in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men is increasingly becoming a major problem worldwide. The damaging effects on the psyche and the anxiety regarding sexual performance and overall life satisfaction could be irreversible.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare domains of quality of life (QOL) in men with ED in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in order to determine the contextual social variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, 400 male patients attending the general outpatient clinic between January and March 2009 were randomly assessed for ED and QOL, using abridged version of the International Index of Erectile function and the World Health Organization Quality of life instrument.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 166 (41.7%) subjects suffered from ED, 80 (48.2%) from medical illness, 56 (33.7%) from surgical problems and 30 (18.1%) from undiagnosed problems. Social relationships and psychological health indices of QOL were severely impaired in men with ED than the general, overall, physical and environmental health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An inference from this study suggests that sexual function promotes psychological well-being as well as interpersonal relationships. Therefore, monitoring these indices of QOL in men with ED is important to boost their confidence and self-esteem needed for a better QOL.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Family Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Alphonsus U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Idung
authors.forename: Festus
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abasiubong
authors.forename: Sunday B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Udoh
authors.forename: Oluyinka S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Akinbami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000208:ethnology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index