Prevalence of erectile dysfunction among 7689 patients with diabetes or hypertension, or both

To survey the presence of, and attitudes toward, erectile dysfunction (ED) among patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus who sought general medical care for any reason.

The abbreviated five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was used to determine the presence of ED. A patient questionnaire was used to assess attitudes about ED.

We surveyed 7689 patients (mean +/- SD age 58.9 +/- 9.2 years), including 6719 (87%) in a stable sexual relationship. In patients with hypertension alone (n = 3906) and diabetes alone (n = 2377), ED was reported by 2379 (61%) and 1603 (67%) and was present in 2634 (67%) and 1677 (71%), respectively, as defined by an IIEF-5 score of less than 21. The corresponding mean scores were 12.0 (+/-4.6) and 11.5 (+/-4.6) in patients with ED and 20.5 (+/-3.6) and 20.2 (+/-3.8) in those without ED. Prevalence was affected by disease characteristics and history, and the number and type of antihypertensive medications. ED was reported by 924 (78%) of 1186 patients with both diseases and was present in 917 (77%) according to the IIEF-5 score. Overall, ED was reported by 5063 patients (66%) with hypertension and/or diabetes, was present in 5391 (70%) according to the IIEF-5 score, and increased in prevalence with age. ED was fairly to very bothersome in 4027 (80%) but untreated in 3312 (65%), of whom 2278 (69%) wanted treatment. Most of those wanting treatment would have welcomed discussion with their physician (1861 [82%] of 2278), and most wanted their physician to broach the subject (1292 [69%] of 1861).

Our study results have shown that patients with diabetes and/or hypertension have a high prevalence of bothersome untreated ED and want their general practitioner to initiate a discussion and provide treatment.