Sexual dysfunction in aging men with lower urinary tract symptoms

Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), age, and sexual dysfunction in the Iranian men aged 50 to 80 years.

A total of 357 men aged 50 to 80 years presenting at the urological clinic were enrolled in this study. The International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires were used to assess the LUTS and sexual function, respectively. The questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interview. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis of the risk factors of sexual dysfunction and its domains assessed by the IIEF.

Of the patients, 332 (93%) were sexually active with a median sexual attempts of 4.6 times per month. Frequency of sexual attempts was inversely related to LUTS severity (P < .001). Advanced age was positively associated with LUTS severity (r = 0.534, P < .001). Sexual dysfunction, defined as IIEF score of 20 and less, was present in 68.2% of the patients. All IIEF domain scores and the overall score were correlated with age (P < .001) and the IPSS (P < .001). In a multivariate analysis, age, diabetes mellitus, and the IPSS were strong independent predictors of the overall IIEF score.

Sexual activity as an important component of the quality of life continues in the majority of men over 50 years. However, their sexual function can be severely affected by LUTS and its severity.