Prevalence and factors associated to erectile dysfunction in the urban zone, between men of 40 to the 70 years old

by RICCI FALCHI, SÉRGIO LUIZ

OBJECTIVE: to assess the prevalence and factors associated to erectile dysfunction(ED) in urban area men.METHODS: a cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in themunicipality of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, 2006. Men between 40 and 70 years oldwere asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire (international index oferectile dysfunction ? IIEF-15 ?; to the World Health Organization quality of lifequestionnaire ? WHOQOL 100 ? domain 4 and to the sociodemographicquestionnaire). Of 50 areas drawn, 60 dwellings were visited in each area, comprisinga total of 433 men interviewed. Erectile Dysfunction prevalence was defined based onthe international index of erectile dysfunction, according to cutoff values and adjustedto erectile dysfunction grade. Multivariate analysis with Poisson regression wasperformed using a hierarchical model of variables associated to erectile dysfunctiongrade.RESULTS: erectile dysfunction and severe erectile dysfunction prevalence were44,9% and 9,3% respectively. The age increase was associated to the presence of EDwith a linear trend, or either, men of 50 to the 60 years had presented 1,7 times morepossibilities to have ED e, with 61 to the 70 years, a 1,9 time possibility more whencompared with the group reference. Also, low income (RP=1,86; IC95%=1,3-2,64),retirement (RP=1,36; IC95%=1,06-1,76), low quality of life (RP=1,89; IC95%=1,44-2,48) and tobaccoism (RP=1,35; IC95%=1,11-1,65) are factors associates to ED.30CONCLUSIONS: The ED affects the interpersonal relationship and compromises thewell-being and the quality of life of men and women. The raised prevalence must beconsidered as a problem of public health that must receive attention from the politicsof health for the health of the man. The prevalence of ED in the region ispreoccupying, even so similar to national and international literature. There is a needto implement more effective campaigns to provide better guidance to the populationto prevent the erectile dysfunction that is a problem of world-wide public health