Prevalence and Correlates of Erectile Dysfunction: A Comparative Study of Adult Hypertensive Patients in an Outpatient Clinic, South East Nigeria.

摘要

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the general population especially among hypertensive patients. This seems to be neglected problem in low-income countries especially our environment with huge attendance consequences. Measures to address the risk factors are advocated as to reduce the burden of the disease and its financial impact on the economy. It is an important public health problem by the National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference Panel. It has been found to be more associated with chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed erectile dysfunction and its associated risk factors among adult hypertensive patients attending a tertiary care centre, with a view to screening for erectile dysfunction, advocating for lifestyle modification in order to reduce the burden of the disease. METHODS: It was a hospital-based cross-sectional comparative design which involved two hundred and thirty-six adult male patients recruited via a systematic random sampling technique. Data collection was done using a semi-structured researcher-administered pretested questionnaire to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics, past medical history, behavioural characteristics, clinical assessment and erectile dysfunction assessment using Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM). Data was analyzed with SPSS (version 23). Chi square test, fisher's test and logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 42.1±15.17 years. Out of the 41.1% young age category; 40.7% and 41.5% were hypertensive and non-hypertensive respectively. An overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 44.1% with higher prevalence in hypertensive (54.2%) than non-hypertensive (33.9%) respondents was noted. There was a significant difference when ED was compared in the two groups (hypertensive and non-hypertensive) (p<0.05). The study also revealed that body mass index has a significant association with erectile dysfunction (P<0.05). The logistic regression showed that blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and BMI were predictors of erectile dysfunction (p=0.010), (OR=2.026, 95% CI=1.180-3.479) and (p= 0.048), (OR=0.688, 95% CI= 0.372-1.271). CONCLUSION: In as much as smoking and the class of anti-hypertensive medications used by the respondents had no significant association with erectile dysfunction, hypertension and obesity were independently associated with erectile dysfunction. Alcohol use was also significantly associated with erectile dysfunction, but such as an associated vanished on elimination of cofounders.