Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in France: Results of an epidemiological survey of a representative sample of 1004 men

Objective: Several recent studies have reported prevalence rates for erectile dysfunction (ED) displaying considerable variation from country to country. We report here the results of a survey carried out in France in 2001. Methods: This study was carried out by means of telephone interviews, on a representative sample of 1004 men aged 40 years or over. The prevalence of ED was determined from the patient's self-evaluation and International Index of Erectile Dysfunction 5 (IIEF-5) score. Results: We found that in France in men aged 40 years and over, one man in three (31.6%) presented ED, of essentially mild or moderate severity (according to IIEF-5 score). We also found that the majority of men suffering from ED expressed dissatisfaction with their relations with their partner. Finally, a large proportion of men stated that they were ready to consult a doctor. Conclusion: This survey confirms that the prevalence of ED is high in France. This condition, which represents a source of distress that remains difficult to express and to assess, should be evaluated more effectively by rigorous and standardised methods, particularly as oral and effective treatments are now available. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.