Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with erectile dysfunction: Analysis of risk factors

Introduction. The association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is unclear. Conventionally, little attention has been given to the association between ED and LUTS. Aim. To evaluate ED risk factors in patients with LUTS. Methods. A total of 476 male patients with ED were enrolled in this study. They were interviewed for ED by using the International Index of Erectile Function. All patients were screened for socio-demographic data and risk factors for ED that included age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), dyslipidemia, and psychological disorders. All patients were also screened for LUTS by using the International Prostate Symptoms Score. Patients under-went routine laboratory investigation in addition to testosterone and prolactin assessment. Results. Mean age +/- SD were 55.1 +/- 8.7 years and 40.4 +/- 11.2 years for patients with and without LUTS, respectively. Of the patients, 27.6% had mild, 30% had moderate, and 42.4% had severe ED. Seventy-seven percent of the patients had LUTS; of those, 22.8% had mild, 42% had moderate, and 35.2% had severe grades. Significant associations between LUTS and both the longer duration and the increased severity of ED were detected. There were also significant associations between LUTS and the following ED risk factors: age, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and IHD. Presence of at least one risk factor was significantly associated with LUTS in patients with ED. Conclusions. ED risk factors are very prevalent among patients with LUTS. The current study supports previous studies suggesting that LUTS were significantly associated with ED. Furthermore, a significant association between the increased severity of LUTS and the increased severity of ED was confirmed.