Health-related quality of life in a UK-based population of men with erectile dysfunction

Objective: To measure health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among a sample of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) in the UK. Study population and methods: A structured questionnaire was mailed to a sample of 5000 men in the UK with ED. The questionnaire included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scale to determine ED severity and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) questionnaire, a generic HR-QOL instrument. Descriptive information relating to personal relationships and sociodemographics as well as details of comorbidities were also requested. Results: 23% of the sample (n = 1141) returned a completed questionnaire. Of the respondents, 82.2% (n = 939) met the criteria for ED based on the IIEF-5 scale. The mean age of the respondents was 60.4 +/- 24.9 years. There was a gradual convergence of respondents' HR-QOL scores to that of the normal male population as their age increased. The HR-QOL of respondents was significantly poorer than that of the normal population for those under 65 years of age, whereas it was significantly better for those between the ages of 65 and 74 years. Comorbid illness had a significant impact on the HR-QOL of respondents over 44 years of age. Furthermore, the HR-QOL of respondents with multiple risk factors for ED was significantly lower than that of respondents without any risk factors (p < 0.001). The respondents' HR-QOL was significantly poorer compared with the normal male population when stratified by marital status. It was also significantly poorer when stratified by whether the respondents were manual or non-manual workers. Conclusion: HR-QOL among men with ED is poorer in those with comorbid illnesses and improves with age.