Prevalence and Correlates of Erectile Dysfunction by Race and Ethnicity Among Men Aged 40 or Older in the United States: From the Male Attitudes Regarding Sexual Health Survey

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Abstract
Introduction Most U.S. population‐based estimates of erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence restricted upper age, were not nationally representative, or underrepresented minority groups. Aim To estimate, by race/ethnicity in the United States, the prevalence of ED and the impact of sociodemographic, health, relationship, psychological, and lifestyle variables. Methods This cross‐sectional, population‐based, nationally representative probability survey conducted between May 2001 and January 2002 in the general community setting facilitated equivalent representation among U.S. non‐Hispanic white (N = 901), non‐Hispanic black (N = 596), and Hispanic (N = 676) men aged 40 and older by using targeted phone lists to oversample the minority populations. Main Outcome Measure Estimated prevalence of moderate or severe ED, defined as a response of “sometimes” or “never” to the question “How would you describe your ability to get and keep an erection adequate for satisfactory intercourse?” Results The estimated prevalence was 22.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.4–24.6) overall, 21.9% (95% CI, 18.8–24.9) in whites, 24.4% (95% CI, 18.4–30.5) in blacks, and 19.9% (95% CI, 13.9–25.9) in Hispanics, and increased with increasing age. The odds ratio increased with increasing age. Probability also increased with diabetes, hypertension, and moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) overall; age ≥70 years and diabetes in whites; severe LUTS in blacks; and age ≥60 years, moderate LUTS, hypertension, and depression in Hispanics. It decreased with exercise and college vs. less than high school education overall; with exercise, good relationship quality, and according to alcohol intake in blacks; and with high school or college education in Hispanics. Conclusions The odds of ED increased with increasing age across race/ethnicity when controlling for sociodemographic, health, relationship, psychological, and lifestyle variables. These initial analyses suggest further study of the interrelationships among risk factors for ED. Laumann EO, West S, Glasser D, Carson C, Rosen R, and Kang J‐H. Prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction by race and ethnicity among men aged 40 or older in the United States: From the Male Attitudes Regarding Sexual Health survey. J Sex Med 2007;4:57–65.