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Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its correlates in Egypt: a community-based study

Abstract

We evaluated the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a cross-sectional community-based random sample of Egyptian men. ED was correlated with the socioeconomic status, risk factors and quality of life. Married men in Ismailia province were interviewed at home. Data were processed for 805 men with mean age of 43.58 y (s.d. 11.03). There is a fair correlation between ED and increasing age (P<0.001). Males with complete ED comprised 13.2% of the sample, 26% of men in their 50s, 49% of men in their 60s and 52% of those 70 y or older. The state of better erection correlated fairly with sexual desire and sexual satisfaction (P<0.01). ED was associated with living in rural areas and lower socioeconomic level (P<0.01), with smoking, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, liver disease, arthritis, peptic ulcer and renal disease (P<0.05). ED was negatively associated with good quality of life (P<0.001). These results indicate that ED is a common problem among married Egyptian men.

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Correspondence to RM Seyam.

Appendix

Appendix

Quality of life questions:

1. If you were to spend the rest of your life feeling the way you do now, how would you feel about that?

Delighted; Pleased; Mostly satisfied; Mixed; Mostly dissatisfied; Unhappy; Terrible.

2. Were you bothered by any illness, body disorder, aches or pains?

All of the time; Most of the time; A good bit of the time, Some of the time; A little of the time; None of the time.

3. Did you feel healthy enough to carry out the things you like to do or had to do?

All of the time; Most of the time; A good bit of the time; Some of the time; A little of the time; None of the time.

4. Were you worried or did you have any fears about your health?

All of the time; Most of the time; A good bit of the time; Some of the time; A little of the time; None of the time.

5. Overall, how would you rate your life?

Excellent; Very good; Good; Average; Miserable.

Sexual activity questions related to potency:

1. In an average week, how often do you usually have sexual intercourse or activity?

2. During the last 6 months have you ever had trouble getting an erection before intercourse begins?

No, Yes, No attempt.

3. During the last 6 months have you ever had trouble keeping an erection once intercourse has begun?

No, Yes, No attempt.

4. How frequently do you awaken from sleep with a full erection?

Daily, 2 or 3 times per week, Once a week, 2 or 3 times per month, Once a month, Less than once per month, Not at all within the last 6 months.

5. How satisfied are you with your sex life? Extremely satisfied, Somewhat satisfied, Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, Somewhat dissatisfied, Extremely dissatisfied.

6. How satisfied are you with your sexual relationship with your wife or wives?

Extremely satisfied, Somewhat satisfied, Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, Somewhat dissatisfied, Extremely dissatisfied.

7. How satisfied do you think your wife(wives) is (are) with your sexual relationship?

Extremely satisfied, Somewhat satisfied, Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, Somewhat dissatisfied, Extremely dissatisfied.

8. Has the frequency of your sexual activity with your wife been:

a. as much as your desire?

b. less than you desire?

c. more than you desire?

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Seyam, R., Albakry, A., Ghobish, A. et al. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its correlates in Egypt: a community-based study. Int J Impot Res 15, 237–245 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901000

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