Erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms: prevalence and risk factors in a Hong Kong primary care setting.

Objectives: To study the prevalence and associated risk factors of erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in a primary care population in Hong Kong.

Design: Questionnaire study.

Setting: Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic, Hong Kong.

Participants: Male patients (n=950) seen between November 2010 and February 2011.

Main Outcome Measures: International Prostate Symptom Score, and the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function.

Results: The point prevalence of any degree of erectile dysfunction in our sample was 68% (mild 13%, mild-to-moderate 14%, moderate 16%, and severe 24%). Univariate analysis showed that age, education, working status, marital status, and smoking were associated factors. Further multiple logistic regression analysis identified age and smoking as significantly associated. The point prevalence of moderate and severe lower urinary tract symptoms was 36% and 32%, respectively. For the predictors of such symptoms, univariate analysis identified five factors (age, education, working status, marital status, and smoking) and only working status was not significantly associated with these symptoms in the multiple logistic regression analysis. The Pearson coefficient test showed a significant negative relation (r= -0.525; P<0.0001) between the two outcome measures (International Prostate Symptom Score and the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function).

Conclusions: We showed that erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms are common health problems in Chinese males seen in primary care. The correlation between the two outcome measures was statistically significant. Primary care physicians should increase awareness on erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms so as to provide early screening and detection, as well as comprehensive treatment.