Erectile function and late-onset hypogonadism symptoms related to lower urinary tract symptom severity in elderly men

• Published in: Asian journal of andrology Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 785 - 789
• Main Authors: Bozkurt, Ozan, Bolat, Deniz, Demir, Omer, Ucer, Oktay, Sahin, Ali, Ozcift, Burak, Pektaş, Abdulkadir, Turan, Tahir, Gümüş, Bilal H, Can, Ertan, Bolukbasi, Ahmet, Erol, Haluk, Esen, Adil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01-11-2013; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Age of Onset; Aged; Erectile Dysfunction; Humans; Hypogonadism - physiopathology; Male; Original; Severity of Illness Index; Urinary Tract - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1008-682X; 1745-7262
• DOI: 10.1038/aja.2013.44

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), erectile dysfunction (ED) and symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism (SLOH) in ageing men in the Aegean region of Turkey. Five hundred consecutive patients >40 years old who had been in a steady sexual relationship for the past 6 months and were admitted to one of six urology clinics were included in the study. Serum prostate-specific antigen and testosterone levels and urinary flow rates were measured. All patients filled out the International Prostate Symptom Score and Quality of Life (IPSS-QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale forms. Of the patients, 23.9% had mild LUTSs, 53.3% had moderate LUTSs and 22.8% had severe LUTSs. The total testosterone level did not differ between groups. Additionally, 69.6% had ED. The presence of impotence increased with increasing LUTS severity. Symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism (AMS >27) was observed in 71.2% of the patients. The prevalence of severe hypogonadism symptoms increased with the IPSS scores. A correlation analysis revealed that all three questionnaire scores were significantly correlated. In conclusion, LUTS severity is an age-independent risk factor for ED and SLOH. LUTS severity and SLOH symptoms appear to have a strong link that requires etiological and biological clarification in future studies.