title: Erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms: a consensus on the importance of co-diagnosis.
abstract: Despite differences in design, many large epidemiological studies using well-powered multivariate analyses consistently provide overwhelming evidence of a link between erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Preclinical evidence suggests that several common pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in the development of both ED and LUTS. We recommend that patients seeking consultation for one condition should always be screened for the other condition. We propose that co-diagnosis would ensure that patient management accounts for all possible co-morbid and associated conditions. Medical, socio-demographic and lifestyle risk factors can help to inform diagnoses and should be taken into consideration during the initial consultation. Awareness of risk factors may alert physicians to patients at risk of ED or LUTS and so allow them to manage patients accordingly; early diagnosis of ED in patients with LUTS, for example, could help reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease. Prescribing physicians should be aware of the sexual adverse effects of many treatments currently recommended for LUTS; sexual function should be evaluated prior to commencement of treatment, and monitored throughout treatment to ensure that the choice of drug is appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK. kirbym@globalnet.co.uk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chapple
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eardley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Speakman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spinks
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wylie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D064804:Urological Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D064804:Urological Agents