The etiology of erectile dysfunction and contributing factors in different age groups in Turkey

The aim of the present study was to determine the pathophysiological factors which cause erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as the risk factors in different age groups in Turkey.

A total of 948 patients with ED who were admitted to three andrology clinics were evaluated in terms of etiological factors. They underwent a multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation. Erectile dysfunction was classified as primarily organic, primarily psychogenic, mixed or unknown in etiology.

Psychogenic ED was diagnosed in 65.4% of the patients and organic ED was diagnosed in 34.6% of patients overall. In patients under 40 years, the rate of psychogenic ED was 83% and the rate of organic ED was 17%, but in the patients over 40 years, the rate of psychogenic ED was 40.7% and the rate of organic ED was 59.3%. The causes of organic ED were identified as arteriogenic ED, 40.5%; cavernosal factor (venogenic) ED, 10%; neurogenic ED, 12.5%; endocrinologic ED, 1.8%; mixed type ED, 11.8%; and drug induced ED, 4.5%.

Our data represent a higher ratio of ED in patients under 40, which are mostly psychogenic, This finding potentially results from local social and cultural differences.