Relationship between ED and depression among middle-aged and elderly men in Korea: Hallym aging study

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ED and depression. The survey was conducted among persons enrolled in panel study about Quality of Life of Korean Elderly Project at the Institute for Aging studies. Subjects were 203 men aged 45-74 years (mean age 65.5 years). ED was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score (Korean version), and depression was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS, Korean version). The baseline questionnaires included demographic and health history information. The age-adjusted prevalence of current depression by GDS (≥18), of ED by IIEF-5 score (<18), and of concomitant ED and depression were 12.2%, 28.2% and 11.0%, respectively. GDS increased according to severity of ED, adjusted for age, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol, hypertension, regular exercise, total cholesterol level, fasting blood sugar, body mass index (P<0.001, by analysis of covariance). ED was strongly associated with depression symptoms after controlling for potential confounding factors using logistic regression. Compared with GDS <8, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for 12-17 GDS and 18 or more GDS were 3.38 (1.30-8.77) and 6.56 (2.18-19.81), respectively. ED is significantly associated with highly depressive symptoms, regardless of age, health habit or concomitant comorbidity. Our results demonstrate that multidisciplinary approaches are important for the successful treatment of ED.