INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) is mainly studied in older males, whereas we measured prevalence of ED in young healthy males using a validated questionnaire. AIM: Assessing the prevalence of ED in young adult men using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and creating a benchmark for ED in this young age group for further research. METHODS: Male students were randomly asked to participate. Men with history of sexual dysfunction or urologic disease were excluded. Age, having a relationship and the IIEF-15 were filled out anonymously and in private. Outcomes of all domains were separately analysed based on relationship and intercourse frequency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ED measured by the IIEF-15. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-one students, aged 21.8 years (17-35, SD 2.98) participated and 14 were excluded. Of 137 students, 81% reported to have an intimate relationship. ED appeared to be present in 46 students (33.6%). The answer "no sexual activity," resulting in a 0-score, was given inconsistently. Outcomes were analysed for students who gave this answer at least once compared with those who never did. Nobody had ED in the group "without 0-scores" (n = 91). All students in the group "with (inconsistent) 0-scores" (n = 46) had ED. Students with a relationship had ED in 24.3% compared with 73.1% in those without a relationship (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: When men with inconsistently answered IIEF-15 questionnaires are excluded, a 0% prevalence of ED is found in this age-group. The current scoring method however does not state that these questionnaires should be excluded, and results in a prevalence of ED of 34%. Possibly, the scoring method of the IIEF-15 needs to be reviewed when this questionnaire is used in young, healthy men in order to accurately measure the prevalence of ED.
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) is mainly studied in older males, whereas we measured prevalence of ED in young healthy males using a validated questionnaire. AIM: Assessing the prevalence of ED in young adult men using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and creating a benchmark for ED in this young age group for further research. METHODS: Male students were randomly asked to participate. Men with history of sexual dysfunction or urologic disease were excluded. Age, having a relationship and the IIEF-15 were filled out anonymously and in private. Outcomes of all domains were separately analysed based on relationship and intercourse frequency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ED measured by the IIEF-15. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-one students, aged 21.8 years (17-35, SD 2.98) participated and 14 were excluded. Of 137 students, 81% reported to have an intimate relationship. ED appeared to be present in 46 students (33.6%). The answer "no sexual activity," resulting in a 0-score, was given inconsistently. Outcomes were analysed for students who gave this answer at least once compared with those who never did. Nobody had ED in the group "without 0-scores" (n = 91). All students in the group "with (inconsistent) 0-scores" (n = 46) had ED. Students with a relationship had ED in 24.3% compared with 73.1% in those without a relationship (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: When men with inconsistently answered IIEF-15 questionnaires are excluded, a 0% prevalence of ED is found in this age-group. The current scoring method however does not state that these questionnaires should be excluded, and results in a prevalence of ED of 34%. Possibly, the scoring method of the IIEF-15 needs to be reviewed when this questionnaire is used in young, healthy men in order to accurately measure the prevalence of ED.
Authors: I A Korneyev; T A Alexeeva; S H Al-Shukri; A N Bernikov; A A Erkovich; A A Kamalov; M I Kogan; V N Pavlov; V N Zhuravlev; D Y Pushkar Journal: Int J Impot Res Date: 2016-02-11 Impact factor: 2.896
Authors: Pranav S Garimella; Misti L Paudel; Kristine E Ensrud; Lynn M Marshall; Brent C Taylor; Howard A Fink Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2013-01 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Catherine E Lovegrove; Vincenzo Ficarra; Francesco Montorsi; James N'Dow; Andrea Salonia; Suks Minhas Journal: Int J Impot Res Date: 2019-12-13 Impact factor: 2.896
Authors: Marieke Dewitte; Carlo Bettocchi; Joanna Carvalho; Giovanni Corona; Ida Flink; Erika Limoncin; Patricia Pascoal; Yacov Reisman; Jacques Van Lankveld Journal: Sex Med Date: 2021-10-07 Impact factor: 2.491