Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in HTLV-1-infected patients and its association with overactive bladder

To determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-infected patients, and its association with overactive bladder (OB).

In a cross-sectional study, 111 male patients with positive serology for HTLV-I (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot) were examined between October 2003 and December 2006. Exclusion criteria were age <18 and >80 years, other neurological diseases, penile prosthesis, neoplasm, and psychological and mental disease. Patients were evaluated by a urologist and neurologist. ED was determined by application of the abridged form of 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). ED was defined as IIEF-5 0 e 2). Diagnosis of HAM/TSP was performed according to World Health Organization recommendations.

Of the total of 111 patients, 6 were excluded and 105 were analyzed. The mean age was 48 +/- 10.7 years. ED was observed in 55.2%. ED was documented in all patients who had HAM/TSP, in 79% of the group with EDSS > 0 and

ED is a frequent disease in HTLV-I-infected individuals, and the prevalence is directly correlated to the degree of neurological disability measured by EDSS. ED was strongly associated with OB symptoms.