Lower urinary tract symptoms and male sexual dysfunction in Asia: a survey of ageing men from five Asian countries.

OBJECTIVE: To determine, using the Asian Survey of Aging Males (ASAM), the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual disorders in Asian men aged 50-80 years, and to investigate the relationship between LUTS and sexual dysfunction, as community-based studies have shown a relationship between LUTS and sexual dysfunction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The ASAM survey was conducted in selected cities in five Asian countries, using a combination of face-to-face and mail-survey methods. The survey evaluated demographics, urinary symptoms (using the International Prostate Symptom Score, IPSS, and bother score), functional problems (using the Danish Prostatic Symptoms Score, DAN-PSS-Sex, and International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF) and comorbidity factors. In all, 1155 men aged 50-80 years completed the survey.
RESULTS: The prevalence of LUTS varied among the countries, ranging from 14% in Singapore to 59% in the Philippines. Moderate to severe LUTS were reported by 36% of men aged 50-59 years, 50% aged 60-69 years and 60% aged 70-79 years. About three-quarters of all respondents (72%) aged 50-80 years were sexually active. Erectile dysfunction was reported by 63% of men in the study, of whom 57% were bothered by their symptoms. Ejaculation disorders were present in 68% of respondents (52% reported bothersomeness) and pain on ejaculation was experienced by 19% of the men in the study (88% reported bothersomeness). Sexual disorders increased with age and increasing severity of their LUTS. Erectile and ejaculation problems were more common in subjects with diabetes or hypertension; these two groups showed the same relationship between LUTS severity and sexual disorders.
CONCLUSION: These results confirmed that sexual activity is common in Asian men aged 50-80 years, even at an advanced age. They also confirmed the correlation between LUTS and sexual dysfunction.