Increased sexual dysfunction in men with storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Men's Health
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Sexual dysfunction (SD) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in aging men.
• Previous research indicates a strong association between LUTS and SD, but often fails to differentiate between voiding and storage LUTS.
• Understanding the distinct impact of LUTS subtypes on SD is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of voiding and storage LUTS on the recorded diagnosis of sexual dysfunction in men within UK general practice.
• To analyze the prevalence and co-occurrence of SD and LUTS over time.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study utilizing The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database.
• Inclusion of men aged 18 years and older from 333 UK general practices between 2000 and 2007.
• Analysis of recorded diagnoses for SD, storage LUTS (e.g., overactive bladder), and voiding LUTS (e.g., benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Main Results:

• The prevalence of recorded SD increased from 1.7% in 2000 to 4.9% in 2007.
• Both storage and voiding LUTS showed increased prevalence alongside SD.
• Men with storage LUTS had 3.0 times the odds of erectile dysfunction (ED), while those with voiding LUTS had 2.6 times the odds; men with both had 4.0 times the odds.
• LUTS diagnosis preceded SD diagnosis in 63.1% of cases, with a mean lead time of 4.8 years.

Conclusions:

• The presence of either storage or voiding LUTS significantly elevates the risk of diagnosed SD in men.
• LUTS frequently precede the diagnosis of SD, suggesting a potential common pathophysiology.
• Further research into the interrelationships of genitourinary tract functional problems could inform treatment strategies and therapeutic advancements.