An investigation into the relationship between prostate size, peak urinary flow rate and male erectile dysfunction

Abstract

This study sought to identify whether a true relationship exists between benign prostatatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED). In a community-based study, 427 men underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), uroflow studies and a questionnaire concerning erectile function. ED had a significant correlation to age (r ¼ 0.19, P < 0.001). But comparisons of prostate volume and analysis of maximum flow rate showed no significant difference between three erectile functional groups; ranging from no ED to complete ED, (one way analysis of variance). However when these two parameters were correlated to age a significant association was found to exist (log prostate volume; r ¼ 0.26, P < 0.001, log maximum flow rate; r ¼ 70.13, P ¼ 0.02). Prostate size and uroflow studies show no correlation with ED, but ED and BPH had a significant correlation with ageing. This makes a direct association between male ED and BPH unlikely but supports the theory that the association between the two pathologies could be due instead to the common link of ageing.

The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), diagnostic indicators of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and erectile dysfunction in patients with moderate to severely symptomatic BPH

“…Overall, a strong relationship between LUTS and ED was found but there was no relationship between urine flow rate and ED. In another study, age was found to be the only variable that was significantly related to prostate volume, peak urinary flow rate, and ED but no relationship was found between these values [14]. However, the unpublished data of McVary et al, which were referred to in the study of Schiff et al, revealed a strong negative relationship between all five subscales of sexual function that were surveyed and both the AUA symptom score index and urine flow rate [15].…”

“…ED was classified into four categories: no ED (IIEF score 26-30), mild ED (IIEF score 17-25), moderate ED (IIEF score [11][12][13][14][15][16], and severe ED (IIEF score \11). Patients were classified into four age groups, separated by decades (50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and over 80).…”

“…LUTS were classified as moderate (IPSS of [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] or severe (IPSS of 20 or more). ED was classified into four categories: no ED (IIEF score 26-30), mild ED (IIEF score 17-25), moderate ED (IIEF score [11][12][13][14][15][16], and severe ED (IIEF score \11).…”

Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction: Epidemiology and treatment in the aging man

“…In the past, symptoms of LUTS and male sexual dysfunction were thought to be associated symptoms related to the aging process, but not causally linked [2,3]. More contemporary studies also can be found that contend that aging itself remains the primary link between LUTS and ED [27]. Throughout the past decade, evidence has been accumulating that shows a strong epidemiologic link between these two disease processes that is independent of age and other known risk factors for male sexual dysfunction.…”

Risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia

“…Green et al [18] reported on a study of men between the ages of 55 and 70 years who were identified from patient lists from general practice clinics in the United Kingdom. Of the 4060 men invited, 2064 (50%) participated.…”