Erectile dysfunction, discrepancy between high prevalence and low utilization of treatment options: results from the ‘Cottbus Survey’ with 10 000 men

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the age‐stratified prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and its comorbidities, and to assess the population’s knowledge, utilization, and general attitude towards the treatment for ED. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In all, 10 000 men received a 35‐item questionnaire including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and sociodemographic questions regarding life style, comorbidities, quality of sexual life and knowledge or experience of ED therapy. In all, 3124 responses were included (31.2%), 2499 men lived in well established partnerships and were assessed as the basic study group. RESULTS In the entire population the prevalence rate of ED was 40.1%. However, although known, medical treatment for ED is used only by a minority of affected men. The prevalence of ED was independently associated with age, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and liver diseases. Correlations between sexual quality of life (QoL) and ED were statistically significant (P < 0.01) and moderate to strong (absolute values: Spearman’s ρ 0.35–0.76). Although 96% of the study population knew at least one phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor by name, only 53% considered taking the medication and only 9% of the men with ED had had experience with available PDE5 inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS The sexual QoL was significantly reduced by ED. Despite high levels of awareness and general acceptance of oral medication for ED, experience with PDE5 inhibitors was low. Further investigation is required to evaluate the general impact of ED on sexual QoL and the need or wish for treatment.

Worry, Desire, and Sexual Satisfaction and Their Association with Severity of ED and Age

“…Ten thousand community-dwelling men of different age groups (18-79 years) who lived in a midsized town in the eastern part of Germany were randomly chosen. The initial sample's age distribution was designed to reflect the age distribution of this eastern German town (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29) total N contacted = 10,000). Subjects were asked to complete a 35-item questionnaire, which was mailed to their homes.…”

Prevalence of erectile dysfunction oral drugs use in a city of southern Brazil

“…This paradox between high prevalence of ED and low EDD use has been previously reported 21,22 and may be explained to certain extent by age. Age was strongly positive associated with EDD use and higher prevalence of ED, which justifies increased EDD use among older individuals.…”

Self-concept and erectile dysfunction in 45-year-old men

“…Diese Präva-lenz ist vergleichbar mit den Ergebnissen der Cottbus Studie aus dem Jahr 2007. Hier hatten 19,5 % der 40-bis 49-jähri-gen Männer aus Cottbus laut IIEF-6 eine ED [16].…”