The contribution of common medical conditions and drug exposures to erectile dysfunction in adult males.

PURPOSE: We examined the association of prevalent erectile dysfunction and coexisting medical conditions in United States men taking into account age and drug exposures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men older than 40 years who participated in the 2001 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were asked to report on erectile function. Men who were never able to achieve an erection sufficient for intercourse were defined as having complete erectile dysfunction. Adjusted odds ratios for complete erectile dysfunction prevalence in men with a coexisting condition compared to those without the condition were calculated. Age, race/ethnicity, urinary symptoms, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension with and without selected antihypertensive therapy (mainly beta blockers and thiazide diuretics), selected antidepressant therapy (mainly, tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), smoking and alcohol were included in all statistical models. RESULTS: Of United States men 8% (95% CI 6.0-10.2) reported complete erectile dysfunction. In multivariate analyses, obstructive urinary symptoms (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4), diabetes (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2), hypertension with selected antihypertensive therapy (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.6-5.9), and selected antidepressant therapy (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.7-15.9), increased the odds of complete erectile dysfunction prevalence, whereas presence of cardiovascular disease, urinary incontinence and hypertension without selected antihypertensive therapy did not. CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive urinary symptoms, diabetes, hypertension treated with selected medications, and selected antidepressant drug use are independently associated with increased erectile dysfunction risk in United States men. Physicians should carefully consider the potential impact of these medications and comorbid conditions when discussing sexual function with their male patients.

Proceedings of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases International Symposium on Epidemiologic Issues in Urinary Incontinence in Women.

The Epidemiologic Issues in Urinary Incontinence: Current Databases and Future Collaborations Symposium included an international group of 29 investigators from 10 countries. The purpose of the symposium was to discuss the current understanding and knowledge gaps of prevalence, incidence, associated risk factors, and treatment outcomes for incontinence in women. During the symposium, investigators identified existing large databases and ongoing studies that provide substantive information on specific incontinence research questions. The investigators were able to form an international collaborative research working group and identify potential collaborative projects to further research on the epidemiology of urinary incontinence and bladder dysfunction.