Quality of life in patients with erectile dysfunction in Shebin El Kom District

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) and the sociodemographic characteristics of patients with ED in Shebin El Kom District who attended the Andrology Clinic in Menoufiya University Hospital.BackgroundED is a common disorder that affects the quality of life (QoL) of millions of people worldwide. Numerous factors can disrupt erectile function – for example, age, smoking, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus (DM).Patients and methodsThis was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 169 patients with ED from Shebin El Kom District who attended the Andrology Clinic in Menoufiya University Hospital during the period 1 December 2015 to 31 May 2016. Information on sociodemographic data, risk factors for ED, and effect of ED on QoL was collected using self-administered questionnaires: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) questionnaire, a risk factors questionnaire, and the shorter version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire.ResultsThe main sociodemographic characteristics affecting ED were age of the patient (P = 0.001) and age of the patient's wife (P = 0.0001). The main risk factors for ED were lifestyle risk factors such as smoking (P = 0.000) and obesity (P = 0.005), medical conditions such as DM (P = 0.0001), hypertension (P = 0.0002), heart disease (P = 0.019), dyslipidemia (P = 0.013), lower urinary tract symptoms (P = 0.005), and hypogonadism (P = 0.004), intake of drugs (β-blockers (P = 0.000), insulin (P = 0.016), psychiatric drugs (P = 0.006), and silymarin (P = 0.001)), and penile and pelvis injury (P = 0.032). Pychogenic factor was present in most cases of ED. In patients with ED other domains of IIEF, including orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction (89.7%) were reduced. Also ED negatively affected all domains of QoL.ConclusionAccording to our results, the main risk factors are aging, cardiovascular disease, DM, dyslipidemia, lifestyle issues (such as smoking and obesity), penile or pelvic injury, and side effects from medication. ED has a significant negative impact on other domains of IIEF and on the QoL.