BPH is linked with erectile dysfunction in US men

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was found to be an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) in US men, according to research presented at the 2024 Sexual Medicine Society of North America Fall Scientific Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.¹

Olivia Paulsen

Discussing the background for the study, investigator Olivia Paulsen told Urology Times, “We know that [BPH] has an association with lower urinary tract symptoms, but its relationship to erectile dysfunction has not been explored in the same depth. That's exactly what our study sought to explore.” Paulsen is a medical student at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine in Meridian, Idaho.

For the study, the investigators retrospectively reviewed data from 2003 to 2004 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey pertaining to patients who had received a diagnosis of BPH.

“Erectile function was assessed using the questionnaire, ‘ability to maintain an erection,’ and we completed a logistic multivariate regression to ascertain if BPH and ED were related,” Paulsen said.

The study cohort included a total of 6,089,425 men, 12% of whom had BPH. Most of the men were 40 to 59 years of age, and most were non-Hispanic White. Age greater than 40 and veteran status were both found to be significantly correlated with having BPH (P < .0001). Although married status was associated with a higher prevalence of BPH (84%), the investigators said this was not statistically significant. Separated individuals had the lowest prevalence of BPH at 0.2%. In terms of household income, men whose income was more than $75,000 had a 31% prevalence of BPH.

“Educational attainment also did not significantly affect BPH prevalence, but higher rates were noted among college graduates (31%) compared to those with less than 9th-grade education (5%),” the authors wrote.

The investigators reported a significantly greater prevalence of ED in men with BPH (P < .0001). In addition, nearly 50% of men with BPH reported sometimes or never being able to hold an erection, compared with approximately 30% of men without BPH.

“This study is significant because it really emphasizes the importance of early detection of both BPH and ED, because knowing that information can really preserve men's quality of life,” Paulsen told Urology Times.

The authors concluded, “Early recognition and intervention are crucial to maintaining erectile function, especially in the aging population.”

REFERENCE

1. Paulsen O, Wu E, Demario V, et al. Benign prostatic enlargement is associated with erectile dysfunction in United States. Presented at: 2024 Sexual Medicine Society of North America Fall Scientific Meeting. October 17-20, 2024. Scottsdale, Arizona. Abstract 216