Correlation between voiding and erectile function in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and male sexual dysfunction remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between voiding and erectile function (EF) using the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) and International Index of EF (IIEF-15) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

From March 2001 to January 2002, 50 men (aged 43-92 years) with symptomatic BPH were enrolled in the study. They completed the AUA-SI and IIEF-15 questionnaires. An additional question about subjective erectile dysfunction (ED) was also evaluated. AUA-SI scores were divided into 3 categories (irritative, obstructive, and total), and IIEF-15 scores were divided into 6 categories (EF, orgasmic function [OF], sexual desire [SD], intercourse satisfaction [IS], overall satisfaction [OS], and total).

Irritative, obstructive and total AUA-SI scores were 7.8 +/- 3.7, 8.4 +/- 5.6 and 16.3 +/- 8.2, respectively. Scores in the 6 categories of the IIEF-15 questionnaire were as follows: EF, 12.1 +/- 10.1; OF, 3.7 +/- 3.8; SD, 4.4 +/- 2.0; IS, 4.5 +/- 4.4; OS, 4.4 +/- 2.6; and total, 29.4 +/- 22.2. No obvious correlation was noted between AUA-SI and IIEF-15 scores. Further, no statistical significance was noted, either between AUA-SI and IIEF-15 severity, or between AUA-SI and EF severity. Among 22 patients who self-reported the absence of ED, 17 (77%) had an EF-domain score less than 26. The mean age of patients with, versus those without, ED was significantly greater.

Voiding and EF, assessed by the AUA-SI and IIEF-15 questionnaires, respectively, are not correlated in patients with BPH.