Association of lower urinary tract symptoms with erectile dysfunction in Japanese men

To assess the age-stratified prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and how lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are associated with ED, and to estimate the correlates of ED among Japanese men.

A self-administered questionnaire of the International Prostate Symptom Score and the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function were given to 3189 noninstitutionalized men during a multiphasic health screening. The data from 2084 men who provided complete responses to the questionnaire were analyzed.

The prevalence of moderate to severe ED increased from 13.4% among those younger than 40 years to 20.6%, 39.9%, and 63.1% among those aged 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 years or older, respectively. Most were dissatisfied with their sex life regardless of age. The severity of ED was significantly associated with moderate to severe International Prostate Symptom Scores (age-adjusted odds ratio 1.52), specifically in the urgency (1.75) and nocturia (1.36) domains, and for those with diabetes mellitus (2.54) and coronary artery disease (8.04).

ED is highly prevalent among Japanese men with LUTS and is significantly associated with the severity of LUTS after controlling for age. This significant aspect of life for men of all ages should be taken into account when treating patients with LUTS.