The Co-occurring Syndrome - Coexisting Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Their Clinical Correlates in Aging Men: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Objective To establish a descriptive profile of men with coexistent erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), ED only or BPH only compared to those with neither condition and to identify the determinants of coexisting disease. Materials and Methods Self-report and/or medication use measures defining ED and BPH were assessed in men aged ≥40 years (N = 2142) between 2001 and 2004 using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Descriptive analyses examined the ED and/or BPH covariate distribution. Logistic regressions calculated odds ratios (ORs, 95% confidence interval) comparing men with ED and/or BPH, BPH only, or ED only to men with neither condition. Results Of 393 men with BPH, 57.8% had coexistent ED, confirming the moderately strong co-occurrence of the conditions (P <.0001). Coexisting ED and/or BPH occurred in 10.6% of participants, whereas 24.4% and 7.7% reported ED and BPH. After age 60, the odds of reporting ED, BPH, or ED/BPH vs neither almost tripled per decade of increasing age, corresponding to prevalence increases. The unadjusted odds of ED and/or BPH vs no disease increased 1.3 times per prostate-specific antigen unit (ng/mL) increase and 1.1 times per C-reactive protein unit (mg/dL) increase. Other predisposing factors for ED and/or BPH included higher body mass index (OR = 2.5), increased antidiabetic (OR = 2.9) or proton pump inhibitor use (OR = 2.3), increased healthcare visits (≥4; OR = 3.5), and more frequent urinary voiding difficulties (OR = 9.7). Conclusion Co-occurring ED and/or BPH is evident in ∼10% of men ≥40 years old and is associated with significant clinical correlates. Clinicians need to pay greater attention to this clinically important syndrome in aging men.