Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction in Taiwanese men

Andrologia. 2008 Dec;40(6):387-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2008.00876.x.

Abstract

The study investigated the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction in ageing men. It was a cross-sectional study in an unselected consecutive sample of 398 men aged >40 years attending a urology clinic. LUTS and sexual function were assessed by validated symptom scales, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Clinically the severity of total and obstructive IPSS showed no significant correlation with age, but irritative IPSS is statistically correlated with age (P < 0.05). The prevalence of moderate to severe ED (IIEF-5 < 12) was significantly associated with LUTS severity (P < 0.05) and the severity of IIEF-5 correlated significantly with age (P < 0.01). A consistent inverse correlation was found between IIEF-5 and IPSS severity across the age groups, with the strongest effect within aged 60 to 69 years (r = -0.286, P < 0.01). The irritative IPSS showed a significant correlation with IIEF-5 severity across all age groups. These results reveal a significant correlation between LUTS and the severity of ED, especially on the irritative domain.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Erectile Dysfunction / complications*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Taiwan / epidemiology
  • Urination Disorders / complications*
  • Urination Disorders / epidemiology