BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in men aged ≥50 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 1644 men aged >50 years in Beijing. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 and International Prostate Symptom Score were recorded for each patient. Pearson’s chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyze the International Prostate Symptom Scores and lower urinary tract symptoms, and their correlations with erectile dysfunction.

RESULTS: The incidence rates of erectile dysfunction among men with mild, moderate, and severe lower urinary tract symptoms were 85.7, 93.7, and 97.9%, respectively. Interestingly, the total IIEF-5 score significantly correlated with the total International Prostate Symptom Score (r=–0.335; P<0.01), obstructive symptoms (r=–0.276; P<0.01), and irritative symptoms (r=–0.326; P<0.01). The correlation between the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms and that of erectile dysfunction was consistently maintained (r=0.304; P<0.01). Age significantly correlated with International Prostate Symptom Score (r=0.388; P<0.01), lower urinary tract symptoms severity (r=0.457; P<0.01), total IIEF-5 score (r=–0.533; P<0.01), and erectile dysfunction severity (r=0.529; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in aging men increase with age, and the severity of erectile dysfunction is positively correlated with the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms.

Keywords: Aged, 80 and over, Age Distribution, China - epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Erectile Dysfunction - epidemiology, Health Surveys, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - epidemiology, Prevalence, Severity of Illness Index